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Book of Church 


OF THE 


force iererite Church 


IN THE 


United States 


REVISED EDITION 


1925 


RICHMOND, VA. 
PRESBY1IERIAN COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION 


7 


hed 
Ue on 





Historical Statement 





Our Book of Church Order has a long and 
notable line of ancestors. John Calvin wrote 
the first modern Presbyterian Book of Order 
for the church at Geneva in 1542. 


John Knox sat at the feet of John Calvin 
for several years, and then returned to Scot- 
land and wrote the “First Book of Dis- 
cipline’” for the Presbyterian Church of 
Scotland, in 1560. The whole history of 
Presbyterian church government in Scotland 
goes back to this First Book of Discipline. 


The Westminster Assembly, which met in 
London in 1643, wrote not only our Confes- 
sion of Faith and Catechisms, but also “The 
Form of Presbyterian Church Government.” 
The Presbyterian Churches of England, 
Scotland, and Ireland adopted this West- 
minster Form of Government. 


When our Presbyterian forefathers came 
to America they brought with them the 
Westminster “Form of Presbyterian Church 
Government,” and it became the basis of 
Church law in the American Presbyterian 
Church. 


The first General Assembly of the Presby- 
terian Church in America was organized in 
1789. The General Synod in preparing for 
the organization of the General Assembly 
practically re-wrote The Form of Presby- 
terian Church Government in 1788, in order 
to adjust it to the conditions in America. 
This new book was called “The Form of 
Government and Discipline of the Presby- 
terian Church in the United States of 
America.” It was revised a number of times 
prior to 1861, when the Southern Presby- 
terians withdrew and formed The Presby- 
terian Church in the United States. 


When the General Assembly of the Pres- 
byterian Church in the United States was 
organized on December 4, 1861, it adopted 
the Form of Government and Discipline 
which had been in use since 1788. In 1863 
our General Assembly took steps to revise 
this Form of Government and Discipline 
with the result that a thoroughgoing re- 
vision was adopted in 1879. A great many 
amendments were added during the next 
forty years. 


In 1921 our General Assembly took steps 
to revise our Book of Church Order again. 


il 


Another thoroughgoing revision was pro- 
posed by the Committee on Revision, adopted 
by the General Assembly, approved by a 
large majority of the Presbyteries, and en- 
acted into law by the General Assembly of 
1925. 

While our present Book of Church Order 
is the result of numerous revisions, it still 
contains many phrases, sentences, and para- 
graphs which are found in The Form of 
Government and Discipline of the Presby- 
terian Church in the United States of 
America, which was first adopted in 1788. 


This brief sketch shows that our Book of 
Church Order goes back through a long and 
noble line of ancestors to the days of John 
Calvin. We also believe that in its basic 
principles it goes back to the Holy Scrip- 
tures. 


il 





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CONTENTS 


PAR Lael 
FORM OF GOVERNMENT 


PAGE 
CHAPTER) 
The Doctrine of Church Government........ 5 
CHAPTER*IE 
inesnine and Headsotithe Ghurch....3.0...- 6 
CHAPTER III. 
The> Visible: Church/Defined FAw./.......... 8 
CHAPTER IV. 
The Nature and Extent of Church Power..... 9 
CHAPTER V. 
ahestartictian CHirchiien ts Stata dc ones ss at ett 
CHAPTER VI. 
The Organization of a Particular Church..... 12 
CHAPTER VII. 
Church Members (2380 Mela itArr tie 14 
CHAPTER VIII. 
Church Officers—General Classification ...... 15 
CHAPTER IX. 
eige NL inster- GL tie VV OFGt sco. asc climes Sen 16 
CHAP LEUR.A: 
The citing Eder) fete. «care 3 ay Ae eae 19 


The Deacot hacen cr eee ree eae oe 21 
CHAPTER XII. 
ChuircaCourts—<invGenerat ee. ones oa one 24 
CHAPTER XIII. 

Jurisdictionsol Church ;Courts vee ees 26 
CHAPTER -XIV. 

The: Church Sessions: saecee bene eee 29 
GRA PALE Rie. 

Phe* Presbytery.; &) # aeceen ens fees . sos eee 33 
CHAPTER XVI. 

Thea yROG ING tare he eee etter eras aii wes ee 37 


CHAPTER XVII. 


The; Géneral Assemblviiaic. occa cee eee 40 
CHAPTER XVIII. 

Eeclesiastical. COMmISSIOniowe waite Ge re oe 45 
CHAPTER XIX. 

Church Orders—The Doctrine of Vocation.... 48 

CHAPTERAXX 

The: Doctrine of @redlinations ey tesco... ee 49 


CHAPTER XXI. 
Candidates for the Gospel Ministry.......... 49 


CHAPTER XXII. 


The Licensure of Candidates for the Gospel 
Ministry 


O46 40) e- puy 0 OLD. 8! One 20/0. 8 16 iB 8) @ 6 1 Se ee Cee ee 


CHAPTER XX iit 
The Election of Pastors 


CHAPTER XXIV. 
The Ordination and Installation of Ministers.. 66 


vi 


CHAPTER XXV. 
The Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation...... 74 


CHAPTER XXVI. 
Election, Ordination, and Installation of Ruling 


ldersiands Deacons ie As. iad. pene ed ae a 
CHAPTER XXVII. 
Gongregational Meetings (0. 6 vi S Pt Be 82 
CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Amending the Constitution of the Church.... 85 

PARTAAL 
Doe hero Ore ise ee LN 

CHAPTER; I: 

Discipline—Its Nature, Subjects, and Ends.... 91 
CHAPTER II. 

Discipline of Non-Communing Members...... 92 
CHAPTER. III, 

PATROLS wa <i Yee eee ane Ln Wins tee eS SNe 94 
CHAPTER IV. 

Ghurch \Censuress tats )24et Gh aves 0% os ees 95 
CHAPTER V. 

The Parties in ‘Cases-of “Process; ........... 97 


CHAPTER VI. 
General Provisions Applicable to all Cases of 
PYOCESS jo nase Hah a SOC RIONE: Litg cobs 101 
CHAPTER VII. 


Special Rules Pertaining to Process Before 
ORM ri i VG ck «SP ed iia ses «ww 2, Bm 108 


GHAR THR: Ville PAGE 
Special Rules Pertaining to Process against a 


Minister’ ee, Sas es Jee eee 

CHAPTER IX. 

Evidences toss let ree ee rte ee 113 
CHAPTER X. 

The Infliction ‘ot Church *Censures =..... 2.22 118 
CHAPTER XI. 

The Removal’or Censtiré>. «0 rie as oe ee 122 
CHAPTER XU. 

Gases Without: Processi.ce.u.c.s. <5. oe eee 128 


CHAPTER exit. 


Modes in Which the Proceedings of Lower 
Courts Come Under the Supervision of 


FHichér:, Counts gee ware sae ee 130 
CHAPTER] <1 V2 
General” Review and Control .ve-.:...-. ee 130 
CHAPTER ov. 
Reterences.nsco. eee Soe es aie ee he a eee 133 
CHAPTER evil. 
Appeals sees ts scsa tale cates en ene 135 
CHAPTER XVII 
Complaints yeas esce eee an eerie pee en, 139 
CHAPTER, XVII. 
Voting in Appeals and Complaints........... 140 
GHA PTE ReX LXe 
Dissents. and: Protestgmtau@..5.ccnc iu. eens 141 
CHAPTER XX. 
Jurisdiction +r 2. jas ee ees eee 142 


PART III 
DO TREASI Lye OTA OR SELLE 


PAGE 
GHAPTER GI. 

Of the Sanctification of the Lord’s Day...... 148 
CHAPTER II. 


Of the Assembling of the Congregation and 
their Behavior during Divine Service.... 150 
CHAPTER III. 
Of the Public Reading of the Holy Scrip- 


RUT OS eve eee ee ae de eee ee newt 
CHAPTER IV. 
Of the Singing of Psalms and Hymns........ 152 
CHAPTER V. 
DE UDIC PTA VeT gress 5 ca vasa c oe eae bee 153 
CHAPTER VI: 
Oi the Preaching of the;Word?...:.2........ 157 
CHAPTER VII. 
ler sapDatic OCOOO l= nae cet ee ce cece nan eaters 160 
CHAPTER VIII. 
Peayer Meetings’ -. fest cr lt oe ici cess esccanes 162 
CHAPTER IX. 

Of the Administration of Baptism. 
iceisantismvor ttitants +2). 27 a ws shee ats oa 163 
CHAPTER X. 

Of the Admission of Persons to Sealing 
OMMNaNCes ya ds oes Oe theres nis Get oe 166 
CHAPTER XI. 


Of the Administration of the Lord’s Supper... 170 


CHAPTER XII. 
Of the Solemnization of Marriage........... 176 
ix 


CHAPTER XIII. 


Of the Visitation:of the\Sicki< sseaycefaue. 179 

. CHAPTER XIV. 

hex Barial otithes Dead’. sec eens ae 180. 
CHAPTER XV. 

Of Days of Fasting and of Thanksgiving..... 181 
CHAPTER XVI. 

secret andi Kamilyey Wiorshii cee eve anes 183 


OPTIONAL FORMS 


Marriage: Service vay: ta ati Bh ch a eeu on 186 
Pumeral Services sa veer ese ae ect eee 190 
A: .Child’s"Funeral2 ¥) Rok. 4 ate a che tee 205 


RULES OF PARLIAMENTARY 
ORDER 


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Form of Government 


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PARIS 


Form of Government 


CHAPTER I. 


THE DOCTRINE OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT. 


1. The scriptural form of Church govern- 
ment, which is that of Presbytery, 1s com- 
prehended under five heads, namely: 1. The 
Aichi 2. Les. wlembers on Lis) Jiicers: 
4. Its Courts; and 5. Its Orders. 

2. The Church which the Lord Jesus 
Christ has erected in this world for the 
gathering and perfecting of the saints, is 
his visible kingdom of grace, and is one and 
the same in all ages. 

3. The members of this visible Church 
catholic are all those persons in every nation, 
together with their children, who make pro- 
fession of the holy religion of Christ, and 
of submission to his laws. 

4. The officers of the Church, by whom 
all its powers are administered, are, accord- 

5 


6 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


ing to the Scriptures, Ministers of the Word, 
Ruling Elders, and Deacons. 


5. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction is not a sev- 
eral, but a joint power, to be exercised by 
Presbyters in courts. These courts may 
have jurisdiction over one or many churches, 
but they sustain such mutual relations as to 
realize the idea of the unity of the Church. 


6. The ordination of officers is ordinarily 
by a court. 


7. This scriptural doctrine of Presby- 
tery is necessary to the perfection of the 
order of the visible Church, but is not es- 
sential to its existence. 


oe 


Cit PT eee 
THE KING AND HEAD OF THE CHURCH 


8. Jesus Christ, upon whose shoulders 
the government is, whose name is called 
Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, 
the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace; 
of the increase of whose government and 
peace there shall be no end; who sits upon 
the throne of David, and upon his kingdom 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 7 


to order it and to establish it with judg- 
ment and with justice from henceforth, 
even for ever; having all power given unto 
him in heaven and in earth by the Father, 
who raised him from the dead, and set him 
on his own right hand, far above all princi- 
pality and power, and might, and dominion, 
and every name that is named, not only in 
this world, but also in that which is to come, 
and hath put all things under his feet, and 
gave him to be the Head over all things to 
the Church, which is his body, the fulness 
of him that filleth all in all; he, being as- 
cended up far above all heavens, that he 
might fill all things, received gifts for his 
Church, and gave all officers necessary for 
the edification of his Church and the per- 
fecting of his saints. 


9, Jesus, the Mediator, the sole Priest, 
Prophet, King, Saviour, and Head of the 
Church, contains in himself, by way of 
eminency, all the offices in his Church, and 
has many of their names attributed to 
him in the Scriptures. He is Apostle, 
Teacher, Pastor, Minister, and Bishop, and 
the only Lawgiver in Zion. It belongs to 
his Majesty from his throne of glory, to 


8 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


rule and teach the Church, through his Word 
and Spirit, by the ministry of men; thus 
mediately exercising his own authority, and 
enforcing his own laws, unto the edification 
and establishment of his kingdom. 

10. Christ, as King, has given to his 
Church, officers, oracles and ordinances ; and 
especially has he ordained therein his sys- 
tem of doctrine, government, discipline, and 
worship; all which are either expressly set 
down in Scripture, or by good and necessary 
consequence may be deduced therefrom; and 
to which things he commands that nothing 
be added, and that from them naught be 
taken away. | 

11. Since the ascension of Jesus Christ 
to heaven, he is present with the Church 
by his Word and Spirit, and the benefits of 
all his offices are effectually applied by the 
Holy Ghost. 


CHAPTER iff, 
THE VISIBLE CHURCH DEFINED. 


12. The Visible Church before the law, 
under the law, and now under the Gospel, 
is one and the same, and consists of all 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT 9 


those who make profession of the true re- 
ligion, together with their children. 


13. This visible unity of the body of 
Christ, though obscured, is not destroyed 
by its division into different denominations 
of professing Christians; but all of these 
which maintain the Word and Sacraments 
in their fundamental integrity are to be 
recognized as true branches of the Church 
of Jesus Christ. 

14. It is according to scriptural example 
that the Church should be divided into many 
individual churches. 


CHAPTER «LV. 
THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF CHURCH POWER 


15. The power which Christ has com- 
mitted to his Church vests in the whole body, 
the rulers and the ruled, constituting it a 
spiritual commonwealth. This power, as ex- 
ercised by the people, extends to the choice 
of those officers whom he has appointed in 
his Church. 

16. Ecclesiastical power, which is wholly 
spiritual, is twofold: the officers exercise 
it sometimes severally, as in preaching the 


10 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


Gospel, administering the sacraments, re- 
proving the erring, visiting the sick, and 
comforting the afflicted, which is the power 
of order; and they exercise it sometimes 
jointly in Church courts, after the form of 
judgment, which is the power of jurisdic- 
tion. 

17. The sole functions of the Church as 
a kingdom and government distinct from the 
civil commonwealth, are to proclaim, to ad- 
minister, and to enforce the law of Christ 
revealed in the Scriptures. 


18. The Church, with its ordinances, 
officers, and courts, is the agency which 
Christ has ordained for the edification and 
government of his people, for the propaga- 
tion of the faith, and for the evangelization 
of the world. 


19, The exercise of ecclesiastical power, 
whether joint or several, has the divine sanc- 
tion, when in conformity with the statutes 
enacted by Christ, the Lawgiver, and when 
put forth by courts or by officers appointed 
thereunto in his. Word. 


Form oF GOVERNMENT 11 


ili vg tgs Bats Seay 
THE PARTICULAR CHURCH 


20. A particular church consists of a 
number of professing Christians, with their 
offspring, associated together for divine 
worship and godly living, agreeably to the 
Scriptures, and submitting to the lawful 
government of Christ’s Kingdom. 


21. Its officers are the Pastor, the Ruling 
Elders, and the Deacons. 

22. Its jurisdiction being a joint power, 
is lodged in the hands of the church Session, 
consisting of the Pastor and Ruling Elders. 


23. To the Deacons belong the collection 
and administration of the offerings of the 
people for the relief of those in need, and 
for the work of the church, under the su- 
pervision of the Session. 


24. The ordinances established by Christ, 
the Head, in his Church, are prayer ; singing 
praises; reading, expounding and preaching 
the Word of God; administering the sacra- 
ments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper; 
public solemn fasting and _ thanksgiving; 
catechising ; making offerings for the relief 


12 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


of the poor and for other pious uses; and 
exercising discipline. 

25. Churches destitute of the official min- 
istration of the Word ought not to forsake 
the assembling of themselves together, but 
should be convened by the Session on the 
Lord’s Day, and at other suitable times, for 
prayer, praise, the reading and expounding 
of the Holy Scriptures, and exhortation, or 
the reading of a sermon of some approved 
minister. In like manner, Christians whose 
lot is cast in destitute regions ought to meet 
for the worship of God. 


GHAPLER.VI. 


THE ORGANIZATION OF A PARTICULAR 
CHURCH 


26. A church can be organized only by 
the authority of Presbytery. The Presby- 
tery may proceed with the organization di- 
rectly, or through a Commission, or through 
an Evangelist to whom the Presbytery has 
entrusted the power to organize churches. 
In the organization of a church, whatever 
be the way in which the matter originated, 
the procedure shall be as follows, namely: 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 13 


(1.) Testimonials shall be presented to 
the Presbytery, or to the Commission, or to 
the Evangelist by such persons as are mem- 
bers of the Church, if there be any, and ap- 
plicants for admission to the Church on 
profession of faith in Christ shall, on satis- 
factory examination, be received. 


(2.) These persons shall in the next 
place be required to enter into covenant, by 
answering the following question affirma- 
tively, with uplifted hand, namely: ‘Do you 
in reliance on God for strength, solemnly 
promise and covenant that you will walk 
together as an organized church, on the 
principles of the faith and order of the 
Presbyterian Church, and that you will study 
the purity and harmony of the whole body ?” 


(3.) The presiding minister shall then 
say: “I now pronounce and declare that you 
are constituted a church according to the 
Word of God and the faith and order of the 
Presbyterian Church in the United States. 
In the name of the Father and of the Son 
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” 


(4.) Ruling Elders and Deacons. shall 
then be elected, if the way be clear, and 


14 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


steps taken for their examination, ordina- 
tion, and installation. 


(5.) Action shall be taken to secure, as 
soon as practicable, the regular ministration 


of the Word. 


Ge Wd dD SH Sap 
CHURCH MEMBERS 


27. The infant seed of believers are, 
through the covenant and by right of birth, 
members of the Church. Hence they are 
entitled to baptism, and to the pastoral over- 
sight, instruction, and government of the 
Church, with a view to their embracing 
Christ, and thus possessing personally all the 
benefits of the covenant. 

28. All baptized persons are entitled to 
the watchful care, instruction, and govern- 
ment of the Church, even though they are 
adults, and have made no profession of their 
faith in Christ. 

29. Those only who have made a pro- 
fession of faith in Christ are entitled to 
all the rights and privileges of the Church. 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 15 


CHAPTER VIII. 


CHURCH OFFICERS—GENERAL CLASSIFICA- 
TION. 


30. Under the New Testament, our Lord 
at first collected his people out of different 
nations, and united them to the household of 
faith by the mission of extraordinary officers, 
endued with miraculous gifts, which have 
long since ceased. 


31. The whole polity of the Church con- 
sists in doctrine, government, and distribu- 
tion. And the ordinary and perpetual officers 
in the Church are, Teaching Elders, or 
Ministers of the Word, who are commis- 
sioned to preach the Gospel and administer 
the sacraments; Ruling Elders, whose office 
is to have the government and _ spiritual 
oversight of the church; and Deacons, whose 
office is to receive and administer the offer- 
ings of the people. 

32. No one who holds office in the Church 
ought to usurp authority therein, or receive 
any official titles of spiritual preeminence, 
except such as are employed in the Scrip- 
tures. 


16 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


CHAPTER EXs 
THE MINISTER OF THE WORD 


33. This office is the first in the Church, 
both for dignity and usefulness. The person - 
who fills it has in Scripture different titles 
expressive of his various duties. As he has 
the oversight of the flock of Christ, he is 
termed Bishop. As he feeds them with 
spiritual food, he is termed Pastor. As he 
serves Christ in the Church, he is termed 
Minister. As it is his duty to be grave and 
prudent, and an example to the flock, and to 
govern well in the house and kingdom of 
Christ, he is termed Presbyter or Elder. 
As he is sent to declare the will of God to 
sinners, and to beseech them to be reconciled 
to God through Christ, he is termed Am- 
bassador. As he bears the glad tidings of 
salvation to the ignorant and perishing, he 
is termed Evangelist. As he stands to pro- 
claim the Gospel, he is termed Preacher. As 
he expounds the Word, and by sound doc- 
trine both exhorts and convinces the gain- 
sayer, he is termed Teacher. As he dis- 
penses the manifold grace of God, and the 
ordinances instituted by Christ, he is termed 


Form oF GOVERNMENT 17 


Steward of the mysteries of God. These 
titles do not indicate different grades of 
office, but all describe one and the same 
officer. 

34. He that fills this office should pos- 
sess a competency of human learning, and 
be blameless in life, sound in the faith, and 
apt to teach; he should exhibit a sobriety 
and holiness of life becoming the Gospel; 
he should rule his own house well; and 
should have a good report of them that are 
without. : 

35. As the Lord has given different gifts 
to the Ministers of the Word, and has com- 
mitted to them various works to execute, 
the Church is authorized to call and appoint 
them to labor as Pastors, Teachers, and 
Evangelists, and in such other works as may 
be needful to the Church, according to the 
gifts in which they excel. 


36. When a Minister is called to labor 
as a Pastor, it belongs to his office to pray 
for and with his flock, as the mouth of 
the people unto God; to feed the flock, by 
reading, expounding, and preaching the 
Word; to direct the congregation in singing 
the praises of God; to administer the sacra- 


18 Book or CHUrcH ORDER 


ments; to catechise the children and youth; 
to visit officially the people, devoting especial 
attention to the poor, the sick, the afflicted, 
and the dying; and with the other Elders, to 
exercise the joint power of government. 

37. When a Minister is appointed to be a 
teacher in a school of divinity, or to give 
instruction in the doctrines and duties of 
religion to youth assembled in a college or 
university, it appertains to his office to take 
a pastoral oversight of those committed to 
his charge, and to be diligent in sowing the 
seed of the Word and gathering the fruit 
thereof, as one who watches for souls. 

38. When a Minister is appointed to the 
work of the Evangelist, he is commissioned 
to preach the Word and administer the 
sacraments in foreign countries, frontier set- 
tlements, or the destitute parts of the 
Church; and to him may be entrusted power 
to organize churches, and ordain Ruling 
Elders and Deacons therein. 

39. When a Minister is called to labor 
through the press, or in any other like need- 
ful work, it shall be incumbent on him to 
make full proof of his ministry by dissemi- 
nating the Gospel for the edification of the 
Church. 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 19 


GHA PERT: 


THE RULING ELDER. 


40. As there were in the Church, under 
the law, Elders of the people for the gov- 
ernment thereof, so in the gospel Church, 
Christ has furnished others besides the Min- 
isters of the Word with gifts and commis- 
sion to govern when called thereunto, which 
officers are entitled Ruling Elders. 


41. These Ruling Elders possess the 
same authority and eligibility to office in 
the courts of the Church as the Ministers of 
the Word. They should, moreover, culti- 
vate zealously their aptness to teach the 
Bible and should improve every opportunity 
of doing so, to the end that destitute places, 
mission points, and churches without Pastors 
may be supplied with religious services. 


42. Those who fill this office ought to be 
blameless in life and sound in the faith; they 
should be men of wisdom and discretion; 
and by the holiness of their walk and con- 
versation should be examples to the flock. 

43. Ruling Elders, the immediate repre- 
sentatives of the people, are chosen by them, 
that, in conjunction with the Pastors or 


20 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


Ministers, they may exercise government and 
discipline, and take the oversight of the 
spiritual interests of the particular church, 
and also of the Church generally, when 
called thereunto. It appertains to their of- 
fice, both severally and jointly, to watch dili- 
gently over the flock committed to their 
charge, that no corruption of doctrine or of 
morals enter therein. Evils which they 
cannot correct by private admonition they 
should bring to the notice of the Session. 
They should visit the people at their homes, 
especially the sick; they should instruct the 
ignorant, comfort the mourner, nourish and 
guard the children of the Church; and all 
those duties which private Christians are 
bound to discharge by the law of love are 
especially incumbent upon them by divine 
vocation, and are to be discharged as official 
duties; they should pray with and for the 
people; they should be careful and diligent 
in seeking the fruit of the preached Word 
among the flock; and should inform the Pas- 
tor of cases of sickness, affliction, and 
awakening, and of all others which may 
need his special attention. 


ForM oF GovERNMENT 21 


CHAPTER XI. 
THE DEACON. 


44, The office of Deacon is set forth in 
the Scriptures as ordinary and perpetual in 
the Church. The office is one of sym- 
pathy and service, after the example of the 
Lord Jesus; it expresses also the com- 
munion of saints, especially in their helping 
one another in time of need. 


45. It is the duty of the Deacons to 
minister to those who are in need, to the 
sick, to the friendless, and to any who may 
be in distress. It is their duty also to de- 
velop the grace of liberality in the mem- 
bers of the church, to devise effective 
methods of collecting the gifts of the peo- 
ple, and to distribute these gifts among the 
objects to which they are contributed. They 
shall have the care of the property of the 
congregation, both real and personal, and 
shall keep in proper repair the church edifice 
and other buildings belonging to the congre- 
gation. In matters of special importance 
affecting the property of the church, they 
cannot take final action without the consent 
of the congregation. In the discharge of 


22 Book or CuHuuRCH ORDER 


their duties the Deacons are under the su- 
pervision and authority of the Session. In 
a church in which it is impossible for any 
reason to secure Deacons, the duties of the 
office shall devolve upon the Ruling Elders. 


46. To the office of Deacon, which is 
spiritual in nature, should be chosen men 
of spiritual character, honest repute, exem- 
plary lives, brotherly spirit, warm sympa- 
thies, and sound judgment. 

47, The Deacons of a particular church 
shall be organized as a Board, of which the | 
Pastor shall be an advisory member. The 
Board shall elect a Chairman, a Secretary, 
and a Treasurer, to whom shall be entrusted 
the funds for the current expenses of the 
church. It shall meet at least once a quarter, 
and whenever requested by the Session. The 
Board of each church shall determine the 
number necessary for a quorum, 

The Board shall keep a record of its 
proceedings, and of all funds and their dis- 
tribution, and shall submit its minutes to the 
Session once every six months, and at other 
times upon request of the Session. 

It is desirable that the Session and the 
Board of Deacons meet in joint session once 





ForM oF GOVERNMENT 2 23 
a quarter to confer on matters of common 
interest. 


48. Deacons may properly be appointed 
by the higher courts to serve on committees, 
especially as treasurers. It is suitable also 
that they be appointed trustees of any fund 
held by any of the Church courts. It may 
also be helpful for the Church courts, when 
devising plans of church finance, to invite 
wise and consecrated Deacons to their coun- 
sels. 

49. The Deacons may, with much ad- 
vantage, hold conferences from time to time 
for the discussion of the interests com- 
mitted to them. Such conferences may in- 
clude representatives of churches covering 
areas of smaller or larger extent. Any ac- 
tions taken by these conferences shall have 
only an advisory character. 

50. It is often expedient that the Session 
of a church should select and appoint godly 
women of the congregation to assist the 
Deacons in ministering to the sick, to 
widows, to orphans, to prisoners, and to 
others who may be in any distress or need. 
They may also aid the Deacons in collecting 
and distributing the offerings of the people. 


24 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


CHAPTER XII. 
CHURCH COURTS—IN GENERAL 


51. The Church is governed by various 
courts, in regular gradation; which are all, 
nevertheless, Presbyteries, as being composed 
exclusively of Presbyters. 


52. These courts are, church Sessions, 
Presbyteries, Synods, and the General As- 
sembly. | 


53. The Pastor is, for prudential rea- 
sons, Moderator of the Session. The 
Moderator of the Presbytery, the Synod, 
and the General Assembly, shall be chosen 
at each stated meeting of these courts; and 
the Moderator, or, in case of his absence, 
the last Moderator present, or thé oldest 
Minister in attendance, shall open the next 
meeting with a sermon, unless it be highly 
inconvenient, and shall hold the chair until 
a new Moderator be chosen. Provided, 
however, that when the Moderator of one of 
the higher courts is a Ruling Elder, the 
preaching of the opening sermon, or any 
other official duty, the performance of which 
requires the exercise of functions pertaining 
only to the Teaching Elder, shall be remitted 





ForM oF GOVERNMENT 25 


by him for execution to such Minister of the 
Word, being a member of the court, as he 
may select. 

The Moderator has all authority necessary 
for the preservation of order and for the 
proper and expeditious conduct of all busi- 
ness before the court, and for convening 
and adjourning the court according to its 
own ruling. In any extraordinary emer- 
gency, he may, by circular letter, change 
the time or place, or both, of meetings to 
which the court stands adjourned, giving 
reasonable notice thereof. 

54. It is the duty of the Clerk, besides 
recording the transactions, to preserve the 
records carefully, and to grant extracts from 
them whenever properly required. Such ex- 
tracts, under the hand of the Clerk, shall be 
evidence to any ecclesiastical court, and to 
every part of the Church. 

55. Every meeting of the Presbytery, 
Synod, and General Assembly shall be 
opened and closed with prayer, and in clos- 
ing the final session a psalm or hymn may 
be sung and the benediction pronounced. 


56. The expenses of Ministers and Rul- 
ing Elders in their attendance on the courts 


26 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


shall be defrayed by the bodies which they 
respectively represent, except that the ex- 
penses of Commissioners to the General As- 
sembly shall be paid out of the treasury of 
the General Assembly. 


GHAP RERSX ITT? 
JURISDICTION OF CHURCH COURTS 


57. These assemblies are altogether dis- 
tinct from the civil magistracy, nor have they 
any jurisdiction in political or civil affairs. 
They have no power to inflict temporal pains 
and penalties, but their authority is in all 
respects moral or spiritual. 


58. The jurisdiction of Church courts is 
only ministerial and declarative, and relates 
to the doctrines and precepts of Christ, to 
the order of the Church, and to the exercise 
of discipline. First, They can make no laws 
binding the conscience; but may frame sym- 
bols of faith, bear testimony against error 
in doctrine and immorality in practice, 
within or without the pale of the Church, 
and decide cases of conscience. Secondly, 
They haye power to establish rules for the 
government, discipline, worship, and exten- 


Form oF GOVERNMENT 2h 


sion of the Church, which must be agreeable 
to the doctrines relating thereto contained 
in the Scriptures, the circumstantial details 
only of these matters being left to the Chris- 
tian prudence and wisdom of church officers 
and courts. Thirdly, They possess the right 
of requiring obedience to the laws of Christ. 
Hence, they admit those qualified to sealing 
ordinances and to their respective offices, 
and they exclude the disobedient and dis- 
orderly from their offices or from  sacra- 
mental privileges; but the highest censure 
to which their authority extends is to cut 
off the contumacious and impenitent from 
the congregation of believers. Moreover, 
they possess all the administrative authority 
necessary to give effect to the powers. 


59, All Church courts are one in nature, 
constituted of the same elements, possessed 
inherently of the same kinds of rights and 
powers, and differing only as the Constitu- 
tion may provide. Yet it is according to 
scriptural example, and needful to the 
purity and harmony of the whole Church 
that disputed matters of doctrine and order, 
arising in the lower courts should be referred 
to the higher courts for decision. 


28 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


60. For the orderly and efficient dispatch 
of ecclesiastical business, it is necessary that 
the sphere of action of each court should 
be distinctly defined. The Session exercises 
jurisdiction over a single church; the Pres- 
bytery over what is common to the Ministers, 
Sessions, and churches within a prescribed 
district; the Synod over what belongs in 
common to three or more Presbyteries, and 
their Ministers, Sessions, and churches; and 
the General Assembly over such matters as 
concern the whole Church; and the juris- 
diction of these courts is limited by the ex- 
press provisions of the Constitution. Every 
court has the right to resolve questions of 
doctrine and discipline seriously and reason- 
ably proposed, and in general to maintain 
truth and righteousness, condemning er- 
roneous opinions and practices which tend to 
the injury of the peace, purity, or progress 
of the Church; and although each court 
exercises exclusive original jurisdiction over 
all matters specially belonging to it, the 
lower courts are subject to the review and 
control of the higher courts, in regular gra- 
dation. Hence, these courts are not separate 
and independent tribunals; but they have a 


Form or GovERNMENT 29 


mutual relation, and every act of jurisdiction 
is the act of the whole Church performed 
by it through the appropriate organ. 


CHAPTER XIV. 
THE CHURCH SESSION. 


61. The church Session consists of the 
Pastor or Pastors, if there be any, and the 
Ruling Elders of a church. If there are 
three or more Ruling Elders, the Pastor and 
two Ruling Elders shall constitute a quorum. 
lf there are less than three Ruling Elders, 
the Pastor and one Ruling Elder shall con- 
stitute a quorum. 

When a church has no Pastor and there 
are five or more Ruling Elders, three shall 
constitute a quorum; if there are less than 
five Ruling Elders, two shall constitute a 
quorum; if there is only one Ruling Elder, 
he does not constitute a Session, but he 
should take spiritual oversight of the church, 
should represent it at Presbytery and Synod, 
should grant letters of dismission, and should 
report to the Presbytery any matter needing 
the action of a Church court. 


30 Book or CHurcH ORDER 


However, any Session, by a majority vote 
of its members, may fix its own quorum, pro- 
vided that it is not smaller than the quorum 
stated in this paragraph. 


62. The Pastor is, by virtue of his office, 
the Moderator of the Session. In his ab- 
sence, if an emergency should arise requiring 
immediate action, the Session may elect one 
of its members to preside. Should pruden- 
tial reasons at any time make it advisable 
for a Minister other than the Pastor to pre- 
side, the Pastor may, with the concurrence 
of the Session, invite a Minister of the same 
Presbytery to perform this service. 


63. When a church is without a Pastor, 
the Moderator of the Session shall be either 
a Minister appointed for that purpose by the 
Presbytery, or one invited by the Session 
to preside on a particular occasion. When 
it 1s inconvenient to procure such a Modera- 
tor, the Session may elect one of its own 
members to preside. In judicial cases, the 
Moderator shall be a Minister of the Pres- 
bytery to which the church belongs. 

64.- In churches where there are two or 
more Pastors, they shall, when present, al- 
ternately preside. 


ForM or GOVERNMENT 31 


65. The church Session is charged with 
maintaining the spiritual government of the 
church, for which purpose it has power to 
inquire into the knowledge, principles, and 
Christian conduct of the church members 
under its care; to censure those found de- 
linquent; to see that parents do not neglect 
to present their children for baptism; to 
receive members into the communion of the 
church; to grant letters of dismission to 
other churches, which, when given to parents, 
shall always include the names of. their 
baptized children; to examine, ordain, and 
install Ruling Elders and Deacons’ on their 
election by the church, and to require these 
officers to devote themselves to their work; 
to examine the records of the proceedings 
of the Deacons; to establish and control 
Sabbath schools and Bible classes, with spe- 
cial reference to the children of the church; 
to order collections for pious uses; to take 
the oversight of the singing in the public 
worship of God; to assemble the people for 
worship when there is no Minister; to con- 
cert the best measures for promoting the 
spiritual interests of the church and congre- 
gation; to observe and carry out the lawful 


32 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


injunctions of the higher courts; and to 
appoint representatives to the Presbytery 
and the Synod, who shall, on their return, 
make report of their diligence. 


66. The Session shall hold stated meetings 
at least quarterly. Moreover, the Pastor 
has power to convene the Session when he — 
may judge it requisite; and he shall always 
convene it when requested to do so by any 
two of the Ruling Elders; and when there is 
no Pastor, it may be convened by two Rul- 
ing Elders. The Session shall also convene 
when directed so to do by the Presbytery. 

67. Every Session shall keep a fair record 
of its proceedings, which record shall be at 
least once in every year submitted to the 
inspection of the Presbytery. 

68. Every Session shall keep a fair record 
of baptisms, of those admitted to the Lord's 
table, of non-communing members, and of 
the deaths and dismissions of church mem- 
bers. 

69. Meetings of the Session shall or- 
dinarily be opened and closed with prayer. 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 33 


CHAPTER XLV. 
THE PRESBYTERY. 


70. The Presbytery consists of all the 
Ministers and one Ruling. Elder from each 
church within a certain district. 


71. A Minister shall be required to hold 
his membership in the Presbytery within 
whose bounds he resides, unless there are 
reasons which are satisfactory to his Pres- 
bytery why he should not do so. 


72. Every Ruling Elder not known to 
the Presbytery shall produce a certificate of 
his regular appointment from the Session of 
the church which he represents. 


73. Any three Ministers belonging to the 
Presbytery, together with at least one Rul- 
ing Elder, being met at the time and place 
appointed, shall be a quorum competent to 
proceed to business. 

However, any Presbytery, by a majority 
vote of those present at a stated meeting, 
may fix its own quorum, provided it is not 
smaller than the quorum stated in this para- 
graph. 

74. Ministers seeking admission to a 
Presbytery shall be examined on experi- 


34 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


mental religion, and also touching their 
views in theology and church government. 
If applicants come from other denomina- 
tions, the Presbytery shall also require them 
to answer in the affirmative the questions 
put to candidates at their ordination. 


75. The Presbytery shall cause to be 
transcribed, in some convenient part of the 
book of records, the obligations required of 
Ministers at their ordination, which shall be 
subscribed by all admitted to membership, 
in the following form, namely: “I, A. B., do 
sincerely receive and subscribe to the above 
obligation as a just and true exhibition of my 
faith and principles, and do resolve and 
promise to exercise my ministry in con- 
formity thereunto.” 


76. The Presbytery has power to receive 
and issue appeals, complaints, and references 
brought before it in an orderly manner, 
and in cases in which the Session cannot 
exercise its authority, shall have power to 
assume original jurisdiction ; to receive under 
its care candidates for the ministry; to ex- 
amine and license candidates for the holy 
ministry; to receive, dismiss, ordain, install, 
remove, and judge Ministers; to review the 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT oS 


record of church Sessions, redress whatever 
they may have done contrary to order, and 
take effectual care that they observe the 
Constitution of the Church; to establish the 
pastoral relation, and to dissolve it at the 
request of one or both of the parties, or 
where the interests of religion imperatively 
demand it; to set apart Evangelists to their 
proper work; to require Ministers to devote 
themselves diligently to their sacred calling 
and to censure the delinquent ; to see that the 
lawful injunctions of the higher courts are 
obeyed; to condemn erroneous opinions 
which injure the purity or peace of the 
Church; to visit churches for the purpose 
of inquiring into and redressing the evils 
that may have arisen in them; to unite or 
divide churches, at the request of the mem- 
bers thereof; to form and receive new 
churches; to take special oversight of 
churches without Pastors; to dissolve 
churches; to concert measures for the en- 
largement of the Church within its bounds; 
in general, to order whatever pertains to the 
spiritual welfare of the churches under its 
care; to appoint Commissioners to the Gen- 
eral Assembly ; and, finally, to propose to the 


36 Book or CuHurRCH ORDER 


Synod or to the Assembly such measures as 
may be of common advantage to the Church 
at large. 


77. The Presbytery shall keep a full and 
fair record of its proceedings, and shall 
send it up to the Synod annually for review. 
It shall report to the Synod and the General 
Assembly every year the condition and 
progress of religion within its bounds dur- 
~ ing the year; and all the important changes 
which may have taken place, such as the 
licensures, the ordinations, the receiving or 
dismissing of members, the removal of mem- 
bers by death, the union and the division 
of churches, and the formation of new ones. 


78. The Presbytery shall meet at least 
twice a year on its own adjournment. When 
any emergency shall require a meeting ear-. 
lier than the time to which the Presbytery 
stands adjourned, the Moderator shall, at 
the request, or with the concurrence, of two 
Ministers and two Ruling Elders of different 
churches, call a special meeting. Should 
the Moderator be for any reason unable to 
act, the Stated Clerk shall, under the same 
requirements, issue the call. If both Mode- 
rator and Stated Clerk are unable to act, 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT Sy 


any three Ministers and two Ruling Elders 
of different churches shall have power to 
call a meeting. Notice of the special meet- 
ing shall be sent not less than ten days in 
advance to each Minister and to the Session 
of every church without a Pastor. In the 
notice the purpose of the meeting shall be 
stated, and no business other than that 
named in the notice is to be transacted. 


79. Ministers in good standing in other 
Presbyteries, or in any evangelical Church, 
being present at any meeting of Presbytery, 
may be invited to sit as visiting brethren. 
It is proper for the Moderator to introduce 
these brethren to the Presbytery. This pro- 
vision shall also apply to the Synod and 
General Assembly. 


CHAT ER Vi. 
THE SYNOD. 


80. The Synod consists of all the Minis- 
ters and one Ruling Elder from each church 
in a district comprising at least three Pres- 
byteries. The qualifications for member- 
ship in the Synod and the Presbytery are 
the same. 


38 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


81. The Synod shall meet at least once 
each year, and any seven Ministers belong- 
ing to it, who shall convene at the time and 
place of meeting, with at least three Ruling 
Elders, shall be a quorum; provided not more 
than three of the said Ministers belong to 
one Presbytery; provided, further, that in 
the case of a Synod composed of only three 
Presbyteries, any seven Ministers represent- 
ing any two Presbyteries, together with three 
Ruling Elders, shall be a quorum. 


82. When any emergency shall require a 
meeting of the Synod earlier than the time 
to which it stands adjourned, the Moderator 
shall, at the request or with the concurrence 
of ten Ministers and ten Ruling Elders, rep- 
resenting at least three Presbyteries, call a 
special meeting. Should the Moderator be 
for any reason unable to act, the Stated Clerk 
_ shall, under the same requirements, issue the 
call. Notice of this special meeting shall 
be sent not less than fifteen days in advance 
to each Minister and to the Session of every 
church without a Pastor. In the notice the 
purpose of the meeting is to be stated and no 
other business than that named in the notice 
is to be transacted. 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT 39 


83. The Synod has power to receive and 
issue all appeals, complaints, and references, 
regularly brought up from the Presbyteries ; 
to review the records of the Presbyteries, 
and redress whatever they may have done 
contrary to order; to take effectual care that 
they observe the Constitution of the Church, 
and that they obey the lawful injunctions 
of the higher courts; to erect new Presby- 
teries, and unite or divide those which were 
before erected; to appoint Ministers to such 
work, proper to their office, as may fall under 
its own particular jurisdiction; in general, 
to take such order with respect to the Pres- 
byteries, Sessions, and churches under its 
care as may be in conformity with the Word 
of God and the established rules, and may 
tend to promote the edification of the Church ; 
to concert measures for promoting the pros- 
perity and enlargement of the Church within 
its bounds; and finally, to propose to the 
General Assembly such measures as may be 
of common advantage to the whole Church. 


84. It shall be the duty of the Synod to 
keep full and fair records of its proceed- 
ings, to submit them annually to the inspec- 
tion of the General Assembly, and to report 


40 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


to it the number of its Presbyteries, and of 
the members thereof, and in general, all im- 
portant changes which may have occurred 
within its bounds during the year. 


eM a Sie Ga Bl 


THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 


85. The General Assembly is the highest 
court of this Church, and represents in one 
body all the churches thereof. It bears the 
title of THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE 
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED 
STATES, and constitutes the bond of union, 
peace, and correspondence among all its con- 
gregations and courts. 


86. The General Assembly, which is a 
permanent court, shall meet at least annually 
upon its own adjournment, and shall consist 
of Commissioners from the Presbyteries in 
the following proportion, namely: Every 
Presbytery shall be entitled to send one 
Minister and one Ruling Elder; but if the 
number of communicants in its churches and 
Ministers on its roll together be over 4,000, 
it shall be entitled to send an additional 
Minister and Ruling Elder; and in like pro- 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 41 


portion for every 4,000 communicants and 
Ministers. 


87. When any emergency shall require a 
meeting of the General Assembly earlier than 
the time to which it stands adjourned, the 
Moderator shall issue a call for a special 
meeting at the request, or with the concur- 
rence, of twenty-seven Commissioners who 
had seats in the Assembly at its preceding 
meeting, of whom eighteen shall be Minis- 
ters and seven Ruling Elders, representing 
at least twelve Presbyteries under the juris- 
diction of at least ‘five Synods. Should the 
Moderator be for any reason unable to act, 
the Stated Clerk shall, under the same re- 
quirements, issue the call. The members of 
the special meeting shall be the Commis- 
sioners elected to the preceding meeting of 
the Assembly or their alternates. A Presby- 
tery, however, shall have the right to elect a 
Commissioner or alternate in the stead of 
one who has died since the last meeting 
of the Assembly, or of one who has notified 
the Moderator of the Presbytery of his in- 
ability to serve. Notice of the special meet- 
ing shall be sent not less than twenty days 
in advance to each Commissioner and to the 


42 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


Moderator of each Presbytery. In the notice 
the purpose of the meeting is to be stated, 
and no other business is to be transacted. 


88. Each Commissioner, before his name 
shall be enrolled as a member of the Assem- 
bly, shall produce from his Presbytery a 
commission under the hand of the Moderator 
and Clerk in the following or like form, 
namely: 


“The Presbytery of 
being met at on the 
day of , doth 
hereby appoint A. B., Minister [or Ruling 
Elder, as the case may be], and in the case 
of his absence, then C. D., Minister [or 
Ruling Elder, as the case may be], to be a 
Commissioner on behalf of this Presbytery 
to the next General Assembly of the Pres- 
byterian Church in the United States, to 
meet at , on the 
day of AMD, 
or wherever and whenever the said Assem- 
bly may happen to sit; to consult, vote, and 
determine on all things that may come be- 
fore that body, according to the principles 
and Constitution of this Church and the 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 43 


Word of God. And of his diligence herein 
he is to render an account at his return. 


Signed by order of the Presbytery. 
[C.’D:] Clerk [A. B.] Moderator.” 


89, Any eighteen of these Commissioners, 
of whom one-half shall be Ministers, and 
at least five shall be Ruling Elders, repre- 
senting at least twelve Presbyteries under 
the jurisdiction of at least five Synods, being 
met on the day and at the place appointed, 
shall be a quorum for the transaction of busi- 
ness. 


90. The General Assembly shall have 
power to receive and issue all appeals, refer- 
ences, and complaints regularly brought be- 
fore it from the lower courts; to bear tes- 
timony against error in doctrine and immor- 
ality in practice, injuriously affecting the 
Church; to decide in all controversies re- 
specting doctrine and discipline; to give its 
advice and instruction, in conformity with 
the Constitution, in all cases submitted to it; 
to review the records of the Synods; to take 
care that the lower courts observe the Con- 
stitution; to redress whatever they may have 
done contrary to order; to concert measures 


44 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


for promoting the prosperity and enlarge- 
ment of the Church; to erect new Synods; to 
institute and superintend the agencies neces- 
sary in the general work of evangelization ; 
to appoint Ministers to such labors as fall 
under its jurisdiction; to suppress  schis- 
matical contentions and disputations, accord- 
ing to the rules provided therefor; to re- 
ceive under its jurisdiction, with the consent 
of three-fourths of the Presbyteries, other 
ecclesiastical bodies whose organization is 
conformed to the doctrine and order of this 
Church; to authorize Synods and Presby- 
_ teries to exercise similar power in receiving 
bodies suited to become constituents of those 
courts, and lying within their geographical 
bounds respectively; to superintend the af- 
fairs of the whole Church; to correspond 
with other Churches; to unite with other 
ecclesiastical bodies whose organization 1s 
conformed to the doctrines and order of this 
Church, such union to be effected by a mode 
of procedure defined in Chapter XXVIII, 
Paragraph 162; and in general to recommend 
measures for the promotion of charity, truth, 
and holiness through all the churches under 
its care. 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 45 


91. The whole business of the Assembly 
being finished, and the vote taken for final 
adjournment, the Moderator shall say from 
the chair: “By virtue of the authority dele- 
gated to me by the Church, I do now declare 
that the General Assembly of the Presbyter- 
ian Church in the United States is adjourned, 
to convene at 





on the ——- day of ——, 
A. D.,” after which he shall pray and return 
thanks, and pronounce, or cause to be pro- 
nounced, on those present, the apostolic 
benediction. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSIONS. 


92. A Commission differs from an ordi- 
nary committee in this, that while a commit- 
tee is appointed to examine, consider and 
report, a Commission is authorized to de- 
liberate upon and conclude the business re- 
ferred to it. It shall keep a full record of its 
proceedings, which shall be submitted to the 
court appointing it, entered on its minutes, 
and regarded and treated as the action of the 
court. 


46 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


93. Among the matters that may be pro- 
_perly executed by Commissions are the tak- 
ing of testimony in judicial cases, the ordi- 
nation of Ministers, the installation of 
Ministers, the visitation of portions of the 
Church affected with disorder, and the or- 
ganization of new churches. 

Every Commission appointed by Presby- 
tery shall consist of at least three Ministers 
and one Ruling Elder, and the Presbytery 
at the time of the appointment of the Com- 
mission shall determine what the quorum 
shall be. However, should a Presbytery 
clothe a Commission with judicial powers 
and authority to conduct judicial process, or 
with power to ordain a Minister of the 
Gospel, the quorum of such Commission 
shall not be less than three Ministers and one 
Ruling Elder. When the ordination of a 
Minister is committed to a Commission, the 
Presbytery itself shall conduct the previous 
examination. 


94. The Presbytery, Synod, or General 
Assembly may, of its own motion, commit 
any judicial case coming before it by appeal 
or complaint to a Commission, and should 
ordinarily follow this procedure, especially 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 47 


when requested by one or both parties to the 
case. Such a Commission shall be appointed 
by the court from its members other than 
members of the court from which the case 
comes up. 

A Judicial Commission of a Synod shall 
consist of not less than fifteen, of whom not 
less than seven shall be Ruling Elders; a 
Judicial Commission of the Assembly of not 
less than twenty-seven, of whom not less 
than thirteen shall be Ruling Elders. In 
each case two-thirds of the Commissioners 
shall be a quorum to attend to business. The 
Commission shall try the case in the manner 
prescribed by the Rules of Discipline; shall 
submit to the court a full statement of the 
case and the judgment rendered, all of which 
shall be entered on the minutes of the court . 
and accepted as its action and judgment in 
the case. 


95. The General Assembly shall have 
power to commit the various interests per- 
taining to the general work of evangeliza- 
tion to one or more Commissions. 


48 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


CHAPTER XIX. 


CHURCH ORDERS—THE DOCTRINE OF VOCA- 
TION, 


96. Ordinary vocation to office in the 
Church is the calling of God by the Spirit, 
through the inward testimony of a good con- 
science, the manifest approbation of God’s 
people, and the concurring judgment of a 
lawful court of the Church. 


97. The government of the Church is 
representative, and the right of God’s people 
to elect their officers is inalienable. There- 
fore no man can be placed over a church in 
any office without the election, or at least the 
consent of that church. 


98. Upon those whom God calls to bear 
_ office in his Church he bestows suitable gifts 
for the discharge of their various duties. 
And it is indispensable that, besides possess- 
ing the necessary gifts and abilities, natural 
and acquired, every one admitted to an office 
should be sound in the faith, and his life be 
according to godliness. Wherefore every 
candidate for office is to be approved by the 
court by which: he is to be ordained. 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 49 


CHAPTER XX. 


THE DOCTRINE OF ORDINATION. 


99. Those who have been called to office 
in the Church are to be inducted by the ordi- 
nation of a court. 


100. Ordination is the authoritative ad- 
mission of one duly called to an office in the 
Church of God, accompanied with prayer 
and the laying on of hands, to which it is 
proper to add the giving of the right hand 
of fellowship. 


101. As every ecclesiastical office, accord- 
ing to the Scriptures, is a special charge, no 
man shall be ordained unless it be to the 
performance of a definite work. 


CHAPTER XXI. 
CANDIDATES FOR THE GOSPEL MINISTRY 


102. A candidate for the ministry is a 
member of the Church in full communion 
who, believing himself to be called to preach 
the Gospel, enters on a course of study and 
of practical training to prepare himself for 
this office, 


50 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


103. It is recommended that every candi- 
date for the ministry should put himself 
under the care of a Presbytery, which should 
ordinarily be the Presbytery that has juris- 
diction of the church of which he is a mem- 
ber. He should be encouraged by the 
Session to do this; and upon his request, the 
Session should furnish him with a certificate 
of his membership, and with testimonials of 
its judgment regarding his Christian char- 
acter and promise of usefulness in the min- 
istry, to be laid before the Presbytery. 


104. In making application to be taken 
under the care of the Presbytery, the candi- 
date for the ministry, in addition, to present- 
ing testimonials from his church Session, 
shall be examined by the Presbytery on 
experimental religion and on his motives for 
seeking the ministry. 

If the testimonials and the examination 
prove satisfactory, the Presbytery shall re- 
ceive him under its care after the following 
manner : 

The Moderator shall propose to the can- 
didate these questions : 

(1.) Do you promise in reliance upon the 
erace of God to maintain a becoming Chris- 


Form or GOVERNMENT 51 


tian character, and to be diligent and faithful 
in making full preparation for the sacred 
ministry ? 

(2.) Do you promise to submit yourself 
to the proper supervision of the Presbytery 
in matters that concern your preparation for 
the ministry ? 


If these questions be answered in the 


affirmative, the Moderator, or some one ap- 


pointed by him, shall give the candidate a 
brief charge; and the proceedings shall close 
with prayer. The name of the candidate is 
then to be recorded on the Presbytery’s Roll 
of Candidates for the Ministry. 


105. The candidate continues to be a 
private member of the church and subject 
to the jurisdiction of the Session, but as re- 
spects his preparatory training for the min- 
istry, he is under the oversight of the Pres- 
bytery. It shall be the duty of the Presby- 
tery to show a kindly and sympathetic in- 
terest in him, and to give him counsel and 
euidance in regard to his studies, his practi- 
cal training, and the institutions of learning 
he should attend. In no case may a candi- 
date omit from his course of study any of 
the subjects prescribed in the Form of Goy- 


52 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


ernment as tests for licensure and ordina- 
tion without obtaining the consent of Pres- 
bytery ; and where such consent is given the 
Presbytery shall record the fact and the rea- 
sons therefor. 


106. For the development of his Chris- 
tian character, for the service he can render, 
and for his more effective training, the can- 
didate, when entering on his theological 
studies, should be authorized and encouraged 
by the Presbytery to conduct public worship, 
to expound the Scriptures to the people, and 
to engage in other forms of Christian work. 
These forms of service should be rendered 
under the direction of Presbytery, and also 
with the sanction and under the guidance of 
the candidate’s instructors during the time 
of his being under their instruction. A 
candidate should not undertake to serve 
statedly a church which is without a pastor 
unless he has the approval of the Presbytery 
having jurisdiction of the church. 


107. The Presbytery shall require every 
candidate for the ministry under its care to 
make a report to it at least once a year; and 
it shall secure from his instructors an annual 


Form or GovERNMENT 53 


report upon his deportment, diligence, and 
progress in study. 

108. The Presbytery may, upon applica- 
tion of the candidate, give him a certificate 
of dismission to another Presbytery; and a 
candidate may, at his request, be allowed to 
withdraw from the care of the Presbytery. 
The Presbytery may also, for sufficient rea- 
sons, remove the name of a candidate from 
its roll of candidates; but in such case it 
shall report its action and the reasons there- 
for to the candidate and to the Session of his 
church, 


CHAPTER XXII. 


THE LICENSURE OF CANDIDATES FOR THE 
GOSPEL MINISTRY. 


109. A candidate for the ministry 1s 
licensed by the Presbytery to preach the 
Gospel in order that, after he has made suffh- 
cient trial of his gifts and the Presbytery 
has received assurance of his approval by 
the Church, he may be ordained to the sacred 
office of the gospel ministry. However, if 
a candidate has been called to a definite work 
which he desires to accept, and the Presby- 


54 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


- tery is satisfied by his examination for 
licensure that he meets the requirements for . 
ordination, the licensure may be omitted and 
the Presbytery may proceed at once to or- 
dain him to the full ministry of the Gospel. 


110. The trials of a candidate applying 
for licensure shall be had by the Presbytery 
under whose care he has placed himself. 
But if he desires to labor within the bounds 
of another Presbytery, his own Presbytery 
may dismiss him to that Presbytery for 
licensure. 

If a candidate applying for licensure is not 
under the care of a Presbytery, his trials for 
licensure shall ordinarily be had by the 
Presbytery having jurisdiction of the church 
of which he is a member. But should the 
candidate find it more convenient to stand 
his trials for licensure before another Pres- 
bytery, he may be received by that Presby- 
tery on producing testimonials from the 
Session of the church to which he belongs 
and from any two Ministers in good stand- 
ing in the Presbytery in which the church 
is located, testifying as to his exemplary 
piety and other requisite qualifications for 
the gospel ministry. And the Presbytery 


Form or GovERNMENT 55 


shall examine him respecting his experimen- 
tal acquaintance with religion and the mo- 
tives which influence him to desire the sacred 
office. The examination shall be close and 
particular, and should ordinarily be con- 
ducted in the presence of the Presbytery. 


111. A candidate for licensure shall be 
required to present a diploma of Bachelor or 
Master of Arts from some approved college 
or university, or at least authentic testimon- 
ials of having taken a regular course of aca- 
demic studies. A candidate for ordination 
shall also be required to present a diploma 
from some approved theological seminary, 
or at least authentic testimonials of having 
gone through a regular course of theological 
studies. 


Examination for Licensure 


112. The Presbytery shall examine the 
candidate on his knowledge of the Latin 
Language, Mental Philosophy, Logic, Rhe- 
toric, Ethics, the Natural Sciences and sim- 
ilar subjects, or in lieu of the examination 
on any of these academic studies, it may 
accept a diploma or certificate from an ap- 
proved college. It shall also examine him 


56 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


on his knowledge of Theology, the Sacra- 
ments and Church Government, the original 
languages of the Holy Scriptures, the Eng- 
lish Bible, and Church History, or in lieu 
of the examination on the original languages 
of the Scriptures and Church History, it may 
accept a diploma or certificate from an ap- 
proved theological seminary. Moreover, the 
Presbytery shall require: 

(1.) A discussion in English, or in Latin, 
of a thesis on some common head in di- 
vinity. 

(2.) An exegesis or critical exercise, in 
which the candidate shall give a specimen 
of his taste and judgment in sacred criticism ; 
presenting an explication of the original text, 
stating its connection, illustrating its force 
and beauties, removing its difficulties, and 
solving any important question which it may 
present. 

(3.) A lecture or exposition of several 
verses of Scripture. 


(4.) A sermon. 


113. These and other similar exercises, 
at the discretion of the Presbytery, shall be 
exhibited until it shall have obtained satis- 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 57 


faction as to the candidate’s piety, learning, 
and aptness to teach in the Church. 


114. No Presbytery shall omit any of 
these parts of trial except in extraordinary 
cases; and whenever a Presbytery shall omit 
any of these parts, it shall always make a 
record of the reasons therefor, and of the 
trial parts omitted. 


Questions for Licensure 


115. If the Presbytery be satisfied with 
the trials of the candidate, it shall then 
proceed to license him in the following man- 
ner : 

The Moderator shall propose to him the 
following questions, namely : 


(1.) Do you believe the Scriptures of 
the Old and New Testaments to be the 
Word of God, the only infallible rule of 
faith and practice? 

(2.) Do you sincerely receive and adopt 
the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms 
of this Church, as containing the system of 
doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures? 


(3.) Do you promise to study the peace, 
unity, and purity of the Church? 


58 Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


(4.) Do you promise to submit yourself, 
in the Lord, to the government of this Pres- 
bytery, or of any other into the bounds of 
which you may be called? 


116. The candidate having answered these 
questions in the affirmative, the Moderator 
shall offer a prayer suitable for the occasion, 
and shall address the candidate to the follow- 
ing purpose: “In the name of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, and by that authority which 
He has given to the Church for its edifica- 
tion, we do license you to preach the Gospel 
as a probationer for the holy ministry, 
wherever God in His providence may call 
you; and for this purpose may the blessing 
of God rest upon you, and-the Spirit of 
Christ fill your heart. Amen.” 

And record shall be made of the licensure 
in the following orlikeform,namely: A : 
the day of , the Presbytery of 

, having, received testimonials com- 
mending —-——-—, and evidence of his being 
a communicant of the church, of his good 
moral character, and of his having pursued 
suitable courses of study, proceeded to sub- 
mit him to the prescribed tests for licensure, 
which were met to the approval of the Pres- 











ForM or GOVERNMENT 59 


bytery. On his satisfactorily answering the 
questions appointed to be put to applicants 
for licensure, Mr. ——-—— was licensed by 
the Presbytery to preach the Gospel as a 
probationer for the ministry within the 
bounds of this Presbytery, or wherever he 
shall in an orderly way be invited to preach. 


117. When any candidate for licensure 
shall have occasion, while his trials are go- 
ing on, to remove from the bounds of his 
own Presbytery into those of another, it 
shall be considered regular for the latter 
Presbytery, on his producing proper testi- 
monials from the former, to take up his 
trials at the point at which they were left, 
and conduct them to a conclusion in the 
same manner as if they had been commenced 
by itself. 

118. When any licentiate shall by the 
permission of his Presbytery remove beyond 
its limits, an extract of the record of his 
licensure, and a Presbyterial recommenda- 
tion, signed by the Clerk, shall be his testi- 
monial to the Presbytery under whose care 
he shall come. 

119. Presbyteries should require licen- 
tiates to devote themselves diligently to the 


60 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


trial of their gifts; and no one should be 
ordained to the work of the gospel ministry 
until he has given evidence of his ability to 
edify the Church. 


120. The license to preach the Gospel 
shall expire at the end of four years, but 
the Presbytery may, if it thinks proper, 
renew it for the period of one year. If the 
licentiate, without necessity, shall devote 
himself to such pursuits as interfere with a 
full trial of his gifts, it shall be the duty of 
the Presbytery to revoke his license. ) 





CHAPTER XXIII. 
THE ELECTION OF PASTORS. 


121. Before a candidate, or a licentiate, 
can be ordained to the office of the ministry, 
he must receive a call to a definite work. 


122. Every church should be under the 
pastoral oversight of a Minister, and when a 
church has no Pastor it should seek to secure 
one without delay. 

A church shall proceed to elect a Pastor 
in the following manner: 

The Session shall order a congregational 
meeting to convene at the regular place of 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 61 


worship. Public notice of the time, place, 
and purpose of this meeting shall be given at 
least one week prior to the time of the meet- 
ing. It shall always be the duty of the 
Session to call a congregational meeting 
when requested to do so by one-fourth of the 
persons entitled to vote. 


123. When a congregation is convened 
for the election of a Pastor it is important 
that they should elect a Minister of the 
Presbyterian Church in the United States 
to preside, but if this be impracticable, they 
may elect any male member of that church. 
The Session shall appoint one of their num- 
ber to call the meeting to order and to pre- 
side until the congregation shall elect their 
presiding officer. All communing members 
in good and regular standing, but no others, 
are entitled to vote in the churches to which 
they are respectively attached. 


Method of Voting 


124. The voters being convened, and 
prayer for Divine guidance having been of- 
fered, the Moderator shall put the question: 
“Are you ready to proceed to the election 
of a Pastor?’ If they declare themselves 


62 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


ready, the Moderator shall call for nomina- 
tions, or the election may proceed by ballot 
without nominations. In every case a ma- 
jority of all the voters present shall be re- 
quired to elect. 


125. On the election of a Pastor, if it 
appears that a large minority of the voters 
are averse to the candidate who has received 
a majority of votes, and cannot be induced 
to concur in the call, the Moderator shall 
endeavor to dissuade the majority from 
prosecuting it further; but if the electors 
be nearly or quite unanimous, or if the ma- 
jority shall insist upon their right to call a 
Pastor, the Moderator shall proceed to draw 
a call in due form, and to have it subscribed 
by them, certifying at the same time in writ- 
ing the number of those who do not concur 
in the call, and any facts of importance, all 
of which proceedings shall be laid before the 
Presbytery, together with the call. 


Form of Call 


126. The call shall be in the following 
or like form, namely: 

The church of ————, being on sufficient 
grounds well satisfied of the ministerial 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT . 63 


qualifications of you, —————, and having 
good hopes from our knowledge of your 
labors that your ministrations in the Gospel 
will be profitable to our spiritual interests, 
do earnestly call you to undertake the pas- 
toral office in said congregation, promising 
you, in the discharge of your duty, all 
proper support, encouragement and _ obe- 
dience in the Lord. And that you may be 
free from worldly cares and avocations, we 
hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay 
you the sum of $——— a year in regular 
monthly (or quarterly) payments (and a 
manse), during the time of your being and 
continuing the regular pastor of this church. 


In testimony whereof we have respectively 








subscribed our names this , day of ——, 
NG Wh 
Attest : 


I, A. B., having moderated the congrega- 
tional meeting which extended a call to 
for his ministerial services, 

do certify that the call has been made in all 
respects according to the rules laid down in 
the Book of Church Order, and that the 
persons who signed the foregoing call were 


64 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


authorized to do so by vote of the congre- 
gation. 


Moderator of the Meeting. 


127. If any church shall choose to sub- 
scribe its call by the Ruling Elders and 
Deacons, or by a committee, it shall be at 
liberty to do so. But it shall, in such case, 
be fully certified to the Presbytery by the 
Minister or other person who presided, that 
the persons signing have been appointed for 
that purpose by a public vote of the church, 
and that the call has been in all other re- 
spects prepared as above directed. 


Prosecution of Call 


128. One or more commissioners shall be 
appointed by the church to present and 
prosecute the call before the Presbytery. 


129. If the call be to a Minister, licen- 
tiate, or candidate of another Presbytery, 
the commissioners appointed to prosecute the 
call shall produce an attested certificate from 
their own Presbytery that it has been laid 
before that body and found in order, and 
that permission has been granted them to 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT 65 


prosecute it before the Presbytery to which 
he belongs. ; 

130. A congregation desiring to call a 
Pastor from his charge, shall, by its com- 
missioners, represent to the Presbytery the 
ground on which it pleads his removal. The 
Presbytery, having heard all the parties, may, 
upon viewing the whole case, either recom- 
mend them to desist from prosecuting the 
call; or may order it to be delivered to the 
Minister to whom it is addressed, with or 
without advice; or may decline to place the 
call in his hands; as it shall appear most for 
the peace and edification of the Church at 
large; or it may refer the whole matter to 
the Synod for advice and direction; and no 
Pastor shall be transferred without his own 
consent. If the parties are not ready to 
have the matter issued at the meeting then 
in progress, a written citation shall be given 
the Minister and his church to appear before 
the Presbytery at its next meeting, which 
citation shall be read from the pulpit on the 
Sabbath after the sermon, at least two Sab- 
‘baths before the intended meeting. 


131. If the congregation, or other field of 
labor, to which a Minister, or licentiate, or 


66 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


candidate is called, be under the jurisdiction 
of a different Presbytery, on his acceptance 
of a call he shall be furnished with the 
proper testimonials, and required to repair 
immediately to that Presbytery, in order that 
he may be regularly inducted into his office. 


CHAPTER Xo. Ve 


THE ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF 
MINISTERS. 


132. No Minister or licentiate or candi- 
date shall receive a call from a church but 
by the permission of his Presbytery. When 
a call has been presented to the Presbytery, 
if found in order and the Presbytery deem 
it for the good of the Church, they shall 
place it in the hands of the person to whom 
it is addressed. 

133. When a call for the pastoral services 
of a licentiate has been accepted by him, 
the Presbytery shall take immediate steps 
for his ordination. 

134. No Presbytery shall ordain any 
licentiate or candidate to the office of the 
gospel ministry, with reference to his 
laboring within the bounds of another Pres- 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 67 


bytery, but shall furnish him with the neces- 
sary testimonials, and require him to repair 
to the Presbytery within whose bounds he 
expects to labor, that he may submit himself 
to its authority, according to the Constitu- 
tion of the Church. 


135. Trials for ordination in a different 
Presbytery from that in which the candidate 
was licensed shall consist of a careful exami- 
nation as to his acquaintance with experi- 
mental religion, as to his knowledge of 
Philosophy, Theology, Ecclesiastical History, 
the Greek and Hebrew languages, the Eng- 
lish Bible, and such other branches of learn- 
ing as to the Presbytery shall appear requi- 
site, and as to his knowledge of the Doctrines, 
of the Sacraments, and the principles and 
rules of the Government and Discipline of 
the Church. Or, in lieu of the examination in 
Philosophy, Ecclesiastical History, and the 
Greek and Hebrew languages, it may accept 
certificates of approved institutions of learn- 
ing. He shall further be required to preach a 
sermon before the Presbytery. No Presby- 
tery shall omit any of these parts of trial 
for ordination except in extraordinary 
cases; and whenever a Presbytery shall omit 


68 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


any of these parts, it shall always make a 
record of the reasons therefor and of the 
trial parts omitted. Trials for ordination in 
the same Presbytery in which the candidate 
was licensed may be omitted when the ex- 
amination for licensure has satisfied the 
Presbytery of his fitness for ordination. 
The Presbytery being fully satisfied of his 
qualifications for the sacred office, shall ap- 
point a day for his ordination, which ought, ~ 
if practicable, to be in that church of which 
he is to be the Pastor. 


136. The day appointed for the ordina- 
tion having come, and the Presbytery being 
convened, a member of the Presbytery, 
previously appointed to that duty, shall 
preach a sermon adapted to the occasion. 
The same, or another member appointed to 
preside, shall afterwards briefly recite from 
the pulpit the proceedings of the Presbytery 
preparatory to the ordination; he shall point 
out the nature and importance of the ordi- 
nance, and endeavor to impress the audience 
with a proper sense of the solemnity of the 
transaction. 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 69 


Questions for Ordination 


Then addressing himself to the candidate, 
he shall propose to him the following ques- 
tions, namely: 

(1.) Do you believe the Scriptures of the 
Old and New Testaments to be the Word of 
God, the only infallible rule of faith and 
practice ? 

(2.) Do you sincerely receive and adopt 
the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms 
of this Church, as containing the system of 
doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and 
do you further promise that if at any time 
you find yourself out of accord with any of 
the fundamentals of this system of doctrine, 
you will on your own initiative, make known 
to your Presbytery the change which has 
taken place in your views since the assump- 
tion of this ordination vow? 

(3.) Do you approve of the government 
and discipline of the Presbyterian Church 
in the United States? 

(4.) Do you promise subjection to your 
brethren in the Lord? 

(5.) Have you been induced, as far as 
you know your own heart, to seek the office 
of the holy ministry from love to God and 


70 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


a sincere desire to promote His glory in the 
Gospel of His Son? 


(6.) Do you promise to be zealous and 
faithful in maintaining the truths of the 
Gospel and the purity and peace of the 
Church, whatever persecution or opposition 
may arise unto you on that account ? 


(7.) Do you engage to be faithful and 
diligent in the exercise of all your duties as 
a Christian and a Minister of the Gospel, 
whether personal or relative, private or pub- 
lic; and to endeavor by the grace of God 
to adorn the profession of the Gospel in your 
manner of life, and to walk with exemplary 
piety before the flock of which God shall 
make you overseer? 


(8.) Are you now willing to take the 
charge of this church, agreeably to your 
declaration when accepting their call? And 
do you, relying upon God for strength, 
promise to discharge to it the duties of a 
Pastor? 


Questions to Congregation 


137. The candidate having answered these 
questions in the affirmative, the presiding 


Form or GovERNMENT 71 


Minister shall propose to the church the fol- 
lowing questions: 


(1.) Do you, the people of this congre- 
gation, continue to profess your readiness to 
receive , whom you have called to be 
your Pastor? 

(2.) Do you promise to receive the word 
of truth from his mouth with meekness and 
love, and to submit to him in the due exercise 
of discipline? 





(3.) Do you promise to encourage him 
in his labors, and to assist his endeavors 
for your instruction and spiritual edifica- 
tion? 

(4.) And do you engage to continue to 
him while he is your Pastor that competent 
worldly maintenance which you have prom- 
ised, and to furnish him with whatever you 
may see needful for the honor of religion 
and for his comfort among you? 


138. The people having answered these 
questions in the affirmative, by holding up 
their right hands, the candidate shall kneel, 
and the presiding Minister shall, with prayer 
and the laying on of the hands of the Pres- 
bytery, according to the apostolic example, 
solemnly set him apart to the holy office of 


72 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


the gospel ministry. Prayer being ended, 
he shall rise from his knees; and the Min- 
ister who presides shall first, and afterwards 
all the members of the Presbytery in their 
order, take him by the right hand, saying, 
in words to this effect: “We give you the 
right hand of fellowship, to take part in this 
ministry with us.” The Moderator shall 
then say: “I now pronounce and declare 
that A. B. has been regularly elected, or- 
dained, and installed Pastor of this congre- 
gation, agreeably to the Word of God, and 
according to the Constitution of the Pres- 
byterian Church in the United States; and 
that as such he is entitled to all support, 
encouragement, honor, and obedience in the 
Lord: In the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” After 
which the Minister presiding, or some other . 
Minister or Ruling Elder appointed for the 
purpose, shall give a solemn charge to the 
Pastor and to the congregation, to persevere 
in the discharge of their reciprocal duties, 
and then after prayer and the singing of a 
psalm, or hymn, the congregation shall be 
dismissed with the benediction. And the 
Presbytery shall duly record the transac- 
tion. 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT 73 


139. After the installation, the heads of 
families of the congregation then present, or 
at least the Ruling Elders and Deacons, 
should come forward to their Pastor, and 
give him their right hand, in token of cordial 
reception and affectionate regard. 


Questions for Installation 


140. In the installation of an ordained 
Minister, the following questions are to be 
substituted for those addressed to a candi- 
date for ordination, namely: 


(1.) Are you now willing to take charge 
of this congregation as their Pastor, agree- 


ably to your declaration in accepting its 
call? 


(2.) Do you conscientiously believe and 
declare, as far as you know your own heart, 
that, in taking upon you this charge, you are 
influenced by a sincere desire to promote 
the glory of God and the good of the 
Church? 


(3.) Do you solemnly promise that, by 
the assistance of the grace of God, you will 
endeavor faithfully to discharge all the du- 
ties of a Pastor to this congregation, and will 
be careful to maintain a deportment in all 


74 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


respects becoming a Minister of the Gospel 
of Christ, agreeably to your ordination en- 
gagements ? 


141. In the ordination of candidates or 
licentiates as Evangelists the same ques- 
tions are to be propounded as in the ordi- 
nation of Pastors, with the exception of the 
eighth, for which the following shall be sub- 
stituted : 

“Do you now undertake the work of an 
Evangelist, and do you promise, in reliance” 
on God for strength, to be faithful in the 
discharge of all the duties incumbent on you 
as a Minister of the Gospel of the Lord 
Jesus Christ?” 


CHAPTER XXV., 


THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PASTORAL 
RELATION. 


142. When any Minister shall tender the 
resignation of his pastoral charge to his 
Presbytery, the Presbytery shall cite the 
church to appear by its commissioners, or the 
church may so appear upon its own motion, 
to show cause, if it has any, why the Pres- 
bytery should not accept the resignation. If 


ForM or GOVERNMENT 75 


the church fail to appear, or if its reasons for 
retaining its Pastor be deemed insufficient, 
his resignation shall be accepted, and the 
pastoral relation dissolved. If any church 
desires to be relieved of its Pastor, a similar 
procedure shall be observed. But whether the 
Minister or the church initiate proceedings 
for a dissolution of the relation, there shall 
always be a meeting of the congregation 
called and conducted precisely in the same 
manner as when the call of a Pastor is to be 
made out. 

The pastoral relation of a Co-Pastor, if 
there be any, shall be dissolved on the dis- 
solution of the pastoral relation of the senior 
Pastor. 


—_— 


CHAP PK” Aon V ds 


ELECTION, ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION 
OF RULING ELDERS AND DEACONS. 


143. Every church shall elect persons to 
the offices of Ruling Elder and Deacon in the 
following manner: When it seems desira- 
ble for the church to have additional Ruling 
Elders or Deacons, the Session shall order a 
congregational meeting to convene at the 


76 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


regular place of worship. Public notice shall 
be given of the time, place, and purpose of 
this meeting at least one week prior to the 
appointed time. If one-fourth of the persons 
entitled to vote shall at any time request the 
Session to call a congregational meeting for 
the purpose of electing additional officers, 
it shall be the duty of the Session to call 
such a meeting. 


144. The Pastor is, by virtue of his office, 
Moderator of congregational meetings. If 
there is no Pastor, the Session shall appoint 
one of their number to call the meeting to 
order and to preside until the congregation 
shall elect their presiding officer, who may 
be a Minister of the Presbyterian Church in 
the United States or any male member of 
that particular church. 


145. All communing members in good and 
regular standing, but no others, are entitled 
to vote in the election of church officers in 
the churches to which they respectively be- 
long. When a majority of all the voters 
present cast their votes for a person for 
either of these offices, he shall be considered 
elected. 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 77 


146. The voters being convened, the Mod- 
erator shall explain the purpose of the meet- 
ing and then put the question: “Are you now 
ready to proceed to the election of additional 
Ruling Elders (or Deacons)?’ If they 
declare themselves ready, the election may 
proceed by nominations, or. by private ballot 
without nomination, as the congregation may 
prefer. In every case a majority of all the 
voters present shall be required to elect. 


147. When any person has been elected 
to the office of Ruling Elder or Deacon the 
Session shall confer with him as to his ac- 
ceptance, and if he accepts shall at an ap- 
pointed time examine him as to his religious 
experience, his knowledge of the system 
of doctrine, government, and discipline con- 
tained in the Standards of the Church, and 
the duties of the office to which he has been 
elected. If the examination is approved, 
the Session shall appoint a day for his ordi- 
nation and installation. 

148. The day having arrived, and the 
Session being convened in the presence of 
the congregation, a sermon shall be preached, 
if convenient; after which the presiding 
Minister shall state in a concise manner the 


78 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


warrant and nature of the office of Ruling 
Elder, or Deacon, together with the char- 
acter proper to be sustained and the duties 
to be fulfilled. Having done this, he shall 
propose to the candidate, in the presence of 
_ the church, the following questions, namely : 


(1.) Do you believe the Scriptures of the 
Old and New Testaments to be the Word 
of God, the only infallible rule of faith and 
practice ? 

(2.) Do you sincerely receive and adopt 
the Confession of Faith and the Catechisms 
of this Church, as containing the system of 
doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures; and 
do you further promise that if at any time 
you find yourself out of accord with any 
of the fundamentals of this system of doc- 
trine, you will, on your own initiative, make 
known to your Session the change which has 
taken place in your views since the assump- 
tion of this ordination vow? 

(3.) Do you approve the government and 
discipline of the Presbyterian Church in the 
United States? 

(4.) Do you accept the office of Ruling 
Elder (or Deacon, as the case may be) in 
this church, and promise faithfully to per- 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT 79 


form all the duties thereof, and to endeavor 
by the grace of God to adorn the profession 
of the Gospel in your life, and to set a 
worthy example before the church of which 
God has made you an officer? 


(5.) Do you. promise subjection to your 
brethren in the Lord? 


(6.) Do you promise to study the peace, 
unity, edification, and purity of the Church? 


The Ruling Elder or Deacon elect having 
answered in the affirmative, the Minister 
shall address to the members of the church 
the following question, namely: 


Do you, the members of this church, ac- 
knowledge and receive this brother as a 
Ruling Elder (or Deacon), and do you 
promise to yield him all that honor, en- 
couragement, and obedience in the Lord to 
which his office, according to the Word of 
God and the Constitution of this Church, 
entitles him? 


The members of the church having an- 
swered this question in the affirmative, by 
holding up their right hands, the Minister 


80 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


shall proceed to set apart the candidate, with 
prayer and the laying on of the hands of the 
Session, to the office of Ruling Elder (or 
Deacon). Prayer being ended, the members 
of the Session (and the Deacons, if the case 
be that of a Deacon) shall take the newly 
ordained officer by the hand, saying, in words 
to this effect: ‘We give you the right hand 
of fellowship, to take part in this office 
with us.” The Minister shall then say: “I 
now pronounce and declare that A. B. has 
been regularly elected, ordained and installed 
a Ruling Elder (or Deacon) in this church, 
agreeably to the Word of God, and according 
to the Constitution of the Presbyterian 
Church in the United States; and that as 
such he is entitled to all encouragement, 
honor and obedience in the Lord: In the 
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of 
the Holy Ghost. Amen.’ After which he 
shall give to the Ruling Elder (or Deacon) 
and to the church an exhortation suited to 
the occasion. 


149. The offices of Ruling Elder and 
Deacon are perpetual; nor can they be laid 
aside at pleasure; nor can any person be 
degraded from either office but by deposition 


Form or GovERNMENT 81 


after regular trial; yet a Ruling Elder or 
Deacon may have reasons which he deems 
valid for being released from the active 
duties of his office. In such a case the 
Session, after conference with him and care- 
ful consideration of the matter, may, if it 
thinks proper, accept his resignation and dis- 
solve the official relationship which exists 
between him and the church. 

Or the Ruling Elder, or Deacon, though 
chargeable with neither heresy nor im- 
morality, may become unacceptable in his of- 
ficial capacity to a majority of the church 
which he serves. In such a case the church 
may take the initiative by a majority vote 
at a regularly called congregational meeting, 
and request the Session to dissolve the ofh- 
cial relationship between the church and the 
officer without censure. The Session, after 
conference with the Ruling Elder, or Deacon, 
and after careful consideration, may use its 
discretion as to dissolving the official re- 
lationship. In either case the Session shall 
report its action to the congregation. 

150. When a Ruling Elder or Deacon 
who has been released from his official rela- 
tion is again elected to his office in the same 
or another church, he shall be installed after 


82 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


the above form, with the omission of ordina- 
tion. 

151. When a Ruling Elder or Deacon 
makes such change of residence that he can- 
not or does not for a period of two years 
perform the duties of his office, his official 
relationship shall be dissolved by the Session 
and the action reported to the congregation. 





CHAPTER XXVII. 
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS, 


152. The congregation consists of all the 
communing members of a particular church, 
and they only are entitled to vote. 

153. Whenever it may seem for the best 
interests of the church -that a congregational 
meeting should be held, the Session shall call © 
such meeting and give public notice, and no 
business shall be transacted at such meeting 
except what is stated in the notice. The 
Session shall always call a congregational 
meeting when requested in writing to do so 
by one-fourth of the communing members of 
the church, 

154. A quorum of the congregational 
meeting shall consist of one-fourth of the 


ForM oF GOVERNMENT 83 


resident communing members, if the church 
has not more than one hundred such mem- 
bers, and of one-sixth of the resident com- 
muning members if a church has more than 
one hundred such members. 


155. The Pastor shall be the Moderator 
of congregational meetings by virtue of his 
office. If it should be impracticable or in- 
expedient for him to preside, or if there 
is no Pastor, the Session shall appoint one 
of their number to call the meeting to order 
and to preside until the congregation shall 
elect their presiding officer, who may be a 
Minister of the Presbyterian Church in the 
United States or any male member of that 
particular church. 


156. A Clerk shall be elected by the con- 
gregation to serve at that meeting or for a 
definite period, whose duty shall be to keep 
correct minutes of the proceedings and of 
all business transacted and to preserve these 
minutes in a permanent form, after they 
have been attested by the Moderator and the 
Clerk of the meeting. He shall also send 
a copy of these minutes to the Session of 
the church, 


84 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


157. When a particular church is incor- 
porated, its meetings for the transaction of 
the business of the corporation will be pro- 
vided for in its charter and by-laws, which 
must always be in accord with the Standards 
of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
States, and must not infringe upon the 
powers or duties of the Session or of the 
Board of Deacons. 


158. If a church shall be dissolved by the 
Presbytery, or otherwise cease to exist, and 
no disposition has been made of its property, 
those who hold the title to the property shall 
deliver, convey, and transfer to the Presby- 
tery of which the church was a member, or 
to the authorized agents of the Presbytery, 
all property of the church; and the receipt 
and acquittance of the Presbytery, or its 
proper representatives, shall be a full and 
complete discharge of all liabilities of such 
persons holding the property of the church. 
The Presbytery receiving such property shall 
apply the same or the proceeds thereof at its 
discretion. 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT 85 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 


AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE 
CHURCH. 


159. The Constitution of the Presby- 
terian Church in the United States consists 
of its doctrinal symbols, embraced in the 
Confession of Faith, and the Larger and 
Shorter Catechisms, together with the Book 
of Church Order, which comprises the Form 
of Government, the Rules of Discipline, and 
the Directory for Worship. 


160. Amendments to the Book of Church 
Order may be made only in the following 
manner : 

(1) Approval of the proposed amendment 
by the General Assembly and its recommen- 
dation to the Presbyteries. 

(2) The advice and consent of a majority 
of the Presbyteries. 

(3) The approval and enactment by a sub- 
sequent General Assembly. 


161. Amendments to the Confession of 
Faith and Catechisms of this Church may 
be made only in the following manner: 


86 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


(1) The approval of the proposed amend- 
ment by the General Assembly and its re- 
commendation to the Presbyteries. 

(2) The advice and consent of three- 
fourths of the Presbyteries. 

(3) The approval and enactment by a sub- 
sequent General Assembly. 


This paragraph (161) can be amended 
only by the same method as it prescribes for 
the amendment of the Confession of Faith 
and Catechisms of the Church. 


162. Full organic union and consolidation 
of the Presbyterian Church in the United 
States with any other ecclesiastical body can 
be effected only in the following manner : 


(1) The approval of the proposed union 
by the General Assembly and its recommen- 
dation to the Presbyteries. 

(2) The advice and consent of three- 
fourths of the Presbyteries. 

(3) The approval and consummation by 
a subsequent General Assembly. 

This paragraph (162) can be amended only 
by the same method which is prescribed for 
the amendment of the Confession of Faith 
and Catechisms of the Church. 


ForM OF GOVERNMENT 87 


163. If by reason of the failure of a 
number of Presbyteries to act, or to report 
action, on any proposed amendment to the 
Standards, the response of the Presbyteries 
is not satisfactory to the succeeding General 
Assembly, it may defer action for one year. 
In that event the General Assembly shall 
urge the delinquent Presbyteries to report 
their judgment to the next Assembly, which 
shall take final action on the proposed 
amendment. 


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PARES 
The Rules of Discipline 


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C-4 ar 





PART II. 
The Rules of Discipline 


CHAP TERY: 


DISCIPLINE—ITS NATURE, SUBJECTS, AND 
ENDS. 


164. Discipline is the exercise of author- 
ity given the Church by the Lord Jesus 
Christ to instruct and guide its members and 
to promote its purity and welfare. 

The term has two senses: the one refer- 
ring to the whole government, inspection, 
training, guardianship, and control which 
the Church maintains over its members, its 
officers, and its courts; the other a restricted 
and technical sense, signifying judicial pro- 
cess. | 

165. In the one sense, all baptized per- 
sons, being members of the Church, are sub- 
ject to its discipline and entitled to the 
benefits thereof; but in the other sense it 
refers only to those who have made a pro- 
fession of their faith in Christ. 


91 


92 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


166. The ends of discipline, so far as it 
involves judicial action, are the spiritual good 
of the offender, the vindication of the honor 
of Christ, the rebuke of offences, the re- 
moval of scandal, and the promotion of the 
purity and welfare of the Church. 


167. The power which Christ has given 
the Church is for building up, and not for 
destruction, and is to be exercised as under 
a dispensation of mercy and not of wrath. 
The Church is to act as a mother who cor- 
rects her children for their good, that every 
one of them may be presented faultless in 
the day of Christ. 


CHAPTER II. 
DISCIPLINE OF NON-COMMUNING MEMBERS, 


168. The spiritual nurture, instruction, 
and training of the children of the Church 
are committed by God primarily to their 
parents who are responsible to the Church 
for the faithful discharge of their obliga- 
tions, and it is a principal duty of the Church 
to promote true religion in the home. 

169. The Church should also make special 
provision for instructing the children in the 


Rutes or DiscreLine 93 


Bible and in the church Catechisms, and to 
this end Sessions should establish and con- 
duct under their authority Sunday Schools 
and Bible classes, and should adopt such 
other methods as may be found helpful. 

170. The Church should maintain con- 
stant and sympathetic relations with the 
children, and should encourage them on com- 
ing to years of discretion to make confession 
of the Lord Jesus Christ and to enter upon 
all the privileges of full church member- 
ship. Even if they are wayward they should 
be cherished by the Church and every means 
used to reclaim them. 

171. Adult non-communing members who 
receive with meekness and appreciation the 
oversight and instruction of the Church are 
entitled to special attention. Their rights 
and privileges under the covenant should be 
frequently and fully explained, and they 
should be warned of the sin and danger of 
neglecting their covenant obligations. 

172. All non-communing members shall 
be deemed under the care of the church to 
which their parents belong, if they live under 
the parental roof and are minors; other- 


94 Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


wise, under that of the church where they 
reside, or with which they ordinarily wor- 
ship. 


_——. 


CEA: esl 
OFFENCES. 


173. An offence, the proper object of 
judicial process, is anything in the principles 
or practice of a church member professing 
faith in Christ, which is contrary to the 
Word of God. The Confession of Faith and 
the Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the 
Westminster Assembly, together with the 
formularies of government, discipline, and 
worship, are accepted by the Presbyterian 
Church in the United States as standard 
expositions of the teachings of Scripture in 
relation to both faith and practice. Nothing, 
therefore, ought to be considered by any 
court as an offence, or admitted as a matter 
of accusation, which cannot be proved to be 
such from Scripture, as interpreted in these 
Standards. 


174. Offences are either personal or 
general, private or public; but all of them 


Ru.Les oF DISCIPLINE 95 


being sins against God, are therefore grounds 
of discipline. 


175. Personal offences are violations of 
the divine law, considered in the special 
relation of wrongs or injuries to particular 
individuals. General offences are heresies 
or immoralities having no such relation, or 
considered apart from it. 


176. Private offences are those which are 
known only to a few persons. Public of- 
fences are those which are notorious. 


CHAPTER IV. 
CHURCH CENSURES. 


177. The censures which may be inflicted 
by church courts are admonition, suspension, 
excommunication, and deposition. When a 
lower censure fails to reclaim the delinquent, 
it may become the duty of the court to pro- 
ceed to the infliction of a higher censure. 


178. Admonition is the formal reproof 
of an offender by a church court, warning 
him of his guilt and danger, and exhorting 
him to be more circumspect and watchful in 
the future. 


96 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


179. Suspension, with respect to church 
members, is their temporary exclusion from 
sealing ordinances; with respect to church 
officers, it is their temporary exclusion from 
the exercise of their office. It may be either 
definite or indefinite as to its duration. De- 
finite suspension is administered when the 
credit of religion, the honor of Christ, and 
the good of the delinquent demand it, even 
though he may have given ‘satisfaction to 
the court. Indefinite suspension is the ex- 
clusion of an offender from sealing ordin- 
ances, or from his office, until he exhibits 
signs of repentance, or until, by his conduct, 
the necessity of the highest censure be made 
manifest. 


180. Excommunication is the excision of 
an offender from the communion of the 
Church. This censure is to be inflicted only 
on account of gross crime or heresy, when 
the offender shows himself incorrigible and 
contumacious. The design of this censure 
is to operate on the offender as a means of 
reclaiming him, to deliver the Church from 
the scandal of his offence, and to inspire all 
with fear by the example of his discipline. 


Rutes oF DISCIPLINE 97 


181. ‘Deposition is the degradation of an 
officer from his office, and may or may not 
be accompanied with the infliction of other 
censure. 


CHAPTER V. 
THE PARTIES IN CASES OF PROCESS. 


182. Original jurisdiction in relation to 
Ministers of the Gospel pertains exclusively 
to the Presbytery, and in relation to other 
church members to the Session, unless the 
Session shall be unable to try the person 
or persons accused, in which case the Presby- 
tery shall have the right of jurisdiction. 


183. It is the duty of all church Sessions 
and Presbyteries to exercise care over those 
subject to their authority; and they shall, 
with due diligence and great discretion, de- 
mand from such persons satisfactory ex- 
planations concerning reports affecting their 
Christian character. This duty is more im- 
perative when those who deem themselves 
aggrieved by injurious reports shall ask an 
investigation. If such investigation, how- 
ever originating, should result in raising a 
strong presumption of the guilt of the party 


98 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


involved, the court shall institute process, 
and shall appoint a prosecutor to prepare 
the indictment and to conduct the case. This 
prosecutor shall be a member of the court, 
except that, in a case before the Session, 
he may be any communing member of the 
‘same congregation with the accused. 


184. The original and only parties in a 
case of process are the accuser and the ac- 
cused. The accuser is always the Presby- 
terian Church in the United States, whose 
honor and purity are to be maintained. The 
prosecutor, whether voluntary or appointed, 
is always the representative of the Church, 
and as such has all its rights in the case. In 
appellate courts the parties are known as 
appellant and appellee. 

185. Every indictment shall begin: “In 
the name of the Presbyterian Church in the 
United States,” and shall conclude, “against 
the peace, unity and purity of the Church, 
and the honor and majesty of the Lord 
Jesus Christ as the King and Head thereof.” 
In every case the Church is the injured and 
accusing party, against the accused. 


186. An injured party shall not become 
a prosecutor of personal offences without 


RULES OF DISCIPLINE 99 


having tried the means of reconciliation and 
of reclaiming the offender, required by 
Christ: “Moreover, if thy brother shall 
trespass against thee, go and tell him his 
fault between thee and him alone: if he shall 
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother; 
but if he will not hear thee, then take with 
thee one or two more, that in the mouth of 
two or three witnesses every word may be 
éstablishéd?’s* (Matt. > xviii, 15,7 165,. A 
church court, however, may judicially in- 
vestigate personal offences as if general, 
when the interests of religion seem to de- 
mand it. So, also, those to whom private 
offences are known cannot become prose- 
cutors, without having previously endeav- 
ored to remove the scandal by private 
means. 


187. When the offence is general, the 
cause may be conducted either by any person 
appearing as prosecutor, or by a prosecutor 
appointed by the court. 


188. When the prosecution is instituted 
by the court, the previous steps required by 
our Lord in the case of personal offences are 
not, necessary.) There are. many cases, 
however, in which it will promote the in- 


100 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


terests of religion to send a committee to 
converse 1n a private manner with the of- 
fender, and endeavor to bring him to a sense 
of his guilt, before instituting actual process. 

189. Great caution ought to be exercised 
in receiving accusations from any person 
who is known to indulge a malignant spirit 
towards the accused; who is not of good 
character; who is himself under censure or 
process; who is deeply interested in any 
respect in the conviction of the accused; or 
who is known to be litigious, rash, or highly 
imprudent. 


190. Every voluntary prosecutor shall be 
previously warned, that if he fail to show 
probable cause of the charges, he must him- 
self be censured as a slanderer of the breth- 
ren, in proportion to the malignity or rash- 
ness manifested in the prosecution. 

191. When a member of a church court 
is under process, all his official functions 
may be suspended, at its discretion; but this 
shall never be done in the way of censure. 

192. In the discussion of all questions 
arising in his own case, the accused shall 
exercise the rights of defendant only, not of 
judge. 


RuLes or DISCIPLINE 101 


CHA PEER VE. 


GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL 
CASES OF PROCESS. 


193. It is incumbent on every member of 
a court of Jesus Christ engaged in a trial of 
offenders, to bear in mind the inspired in- 
junction: “If a man be overtaken in a fault, 
ye which are spiritual restore such an one 
in the spirit of meekness, considering thy- 
self, lest thou also be tempted.” 


194, Process against an offender shall not 
be commenced unless some person or per- 
sons undertake to make out the charge; or 
unless the court finds it necessary, for the 
honor of religion, itself to take the step 
provided for in Chapter V., Paragraph 183. 


195. When a charge is laid before the 
Session or Presbytery, it shall be reduced to 
writing, and nothing shall be done at the first 
meeting of the court, unless by consent of 
parties, except to appoint a prosecutor, and 
order the indictment to be drawn, a copy of 
which, with the witnesses then known to sup- 
port it, shall be served on the accused, and 
to cite all parties and their witnesses to ap- 
pear and be heard at another meeting, which 


102 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


shall not be sooner than, ten days after such 
citation; at which meeting of the court the 
charges shall be read to the accused, if 
present, and he shall be called upon to say 
whether he be guilty or not. If he confess, 
the court may deal with him according to its 
-discretion; if he plead and take issue, the 
trial shall proceed. Accused parties may 
plead in writing when they cannot be per- 
sonally present, and parties necessarily ab- 
sent should have counsel assigned to them. 


196. The citation shall be issued and 
signed by the Moderator or Clerk, by order 
and in the name of the court; he shall also 
issue citations to such witnesses as either 
party shall nominate .to appear on his be- 
half. 

197. In drawing the indictment, the times, 
places, and circumstances should, if possible, 
be particularly stated, that the accused may 
have an opportunity to make his defense. 


198. When an accused person shall refuse 
to obey a citation, he shall be cited a second 
time; and this second citation shall be ac- 
companied with a notice that if he do not 
appear at the time appointed (unless pro- 
videntially hindered, which fact he must 


RULES OF DISCIPLINE 103 


make known to the court), or that if he ap- 
pear and refuse to plead, he shall be dealt 
with for his contumacy, as hereinafter pro- 
vided. 

199. The time which must elapse between 
the serving of the first citation on the ac- 
cused person, and the meeting of the court 
at which he is to appear, shall be at least ten 
days. But the time allotted for his appear- 
ance on the subsequent citation shall be left 
to the discretion of the court, provided that 
it be not less than is quite sufficient for a 
seasonable and convenient compliance with 
the citation. 


200. When the offence with which an ac- 
cused person stands charged took place at 
a distance, and it is inconvenient for the 
witnesses to appear before the court having 
jurisdiction, that court may either appoint a 
commission of its body, or request the co- 
ordinate court contiguous to the place where 
the facts occurred, to take the testimony for 
it. The accused shall always have reasonable 
notice of the time and place of the meeting 
of this commission or co-ordinate court. 


201. When an offence, alleged to have 
been committed at a distance, is not likely 


104 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


otherwise to become known to the court 
having jurisdiction, it shall be the duty of 
the court within whose bounds the facts 
occurred, after satisfying itself that there is 
probable ground of accusation, to send notice 
to the court having jurisdiction, which shall 
at once proceed against the accused; or the 
whole case may be remitted for trial to the 
co-ordinate court within whose bounds the 
offence is alleged to have been committed. 


202. Before proceeding to trial, courts 

ought to ascertain that their citations have 
been duly served. 
' 203. In every process, if deemed ex- 
pedient, there may be a committee appointed, 
which shall be called the Judicial Committee, 
and whose duty it shall be to digest and 
arrange all the papers, and to prescribe, un- 
der the direction of the court, the whole 
order of the proceedings. The members of 
this committee shall be entitled, notwith- 
standing their performance of this duty, to 
sit and vote in the case as members of the 
court. 

204. When the trial is about to begin, it 
shall be the duty of the Moderator solemnly 
to announce from the chair that the court is 


RuLEs oF DISCIPLINE 105 


about to pass to the consideration of the 
cause, and to enjoin on the members to re- 
collect and regard their high character as 
judges of a court of Jesus Christ, and the 
solemn duty in which they are about to 
engage. 

205. In order that the trial may be fair 
and impartial, the witnesses shall be ex- 
amined in the presence of the accused, or 
at least after he shall have received due ci- 
tation to attend. Witnesses may be cross- 
examined by both parties, and any questions. 
asked which are pertinent to the issue. 


206. On all questions arising in the pro- 
gress of a trial, the discussion shall first be 
between the parties; and when they have 
been heard, they may be required to with- 
draw from the court until the members de- 
liberate upon and decide the point. 


207. When a court of first resort pro- 
ceeds to the trial of a cause, the following 
order shall be observed: 1, The Moderator 
shall charge the court. 2, The indictment 
shall be read, and the answer of the accused 
heard. 3, The witnesses for the prosecutor 
and then those for the accused shall be ex- 
amined. 4, The parties shall be heard; first, 


106 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


the prosecutor, and then the accused, and 
the prosecutor shall close. 5, The roll shall 
be called, and the members may express their 
opinion in the cause. 6, The vote shall be 
taken, the verdict announced and judgment 
entered on the records. 


208. Either party may, for cause, chal- 
lenge the right of any member to sit in the 
trial of the case, which question shall be 
decided by the members of the court other 
than the one challenged. 


209... Pending the trial of 2 vease, any 
member of the court who shall express his 
opinion of its merits to either party, or to 
any person not a member of the court; or 
who shall absent himself from any sitting 
without the permission of the court, or satis- 
factory reasons rendered, shall be thereby 
disqualified from taking part in the subse- 
quent proceedings. | 

210. The parties shall be allowed copies 
of the whole proceedings at their own ex- 
pense, if they demand them. Minutes of 
the trial shall be kept by the Clerk, which 
shall exhibit the charges, the answer, all the 
testimony, and all such acts, orders, and de- 
cisions of the court relating to the case, 


RuLes oF DISCIPLINE 107 


as either party may desire, and also the judg- 
ment. The Clerk shall, without delay, attach 
together the charges, the answer, the ci- 
tations and returns thereto, and the minutes 
herein required to be kept. These papers, 
when so attached, shall constitute “the rec- 
ord of the case.” When a case is removed 
by appeal or complaint, the lower court shall 
transmit “‘the record” thus prepared to the 
higher court with the addition of the notice 
of appeal or complaint, and the reasons 
thereof, if any shall have been filed. Noth- 
ing which is not contained in this “record” 
shall be taken into consideration in the 
higher court. On the final decision of a 
cause in a higher court, its judgment shall 
be sent down to the court in which the case 
originated. 

211. No professional counsel shall be 
permitted as such to appear and plead in 
cases of process in any court; but an accused 
person may, if he desires it, be represented 
before the Session by any communing mem- 
ber of the same particular church; or before 
any other court, by any member of the court. 
A member of the court so employed shall not 
be allowed to sit in judgment in the case. 


108 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


212. Process, in case of scandal, shall 
commence within the space of one year after 
the offence was committed, unless it has re- 
cently become flagrant. When, however, a 
church member shall commit an offence, 
after removing to a place far distant from 
his former residence, and where his connec- 
tion with the church is unknown, in con- 
sequence of which circumstances process 
cannot be instituted within the time above 
specified, the recent discovery of the church 
membership of the individual shall be con- 
sidered as equivalent to the offence itself 
having recently become flagrant. The same 
principle, in like circumstances, shall also 
apply to Ministers. 


CHAPTER VIL 


SPECIAL RULES PERTAINING TO PROCESS 
BEFORE SESSIONS. 


213. Process against all church members, 
other than Ministers of the Gospel, shall be 
entered before the Session of the church to 
which such members belong ; except in cases 
in which the Session is rendered incapable of 


Ru.Les or DISCIPLINE 109 


exercising jurisdiction, in which case process 
shall be entered before the Presbytery. 


214. When an accused person, having 
been twice duly cited, shall refuse to appear 
before the Session, or appearing, shall re- 
fuse to plead, the court shall enter upon its 
records the fact, together with the nature of 
the offence charged, and he shall be sus- 
pended from sealing ordinances for his con- 
tumacy. The censure may be made public 
should this be deemed expedient by the 
Session, and shall in no case be removed until 
the offender has not only repented of his 
contumacy, but has given satisfaction in rela- 
tion to the charges against him. 


215. If the charge be one of gross crime 
or heresy, and the accused persist in his 
contumacy, the court may proceed to inflict 
the highest censure. 


216. When it is impracticable immediate- 
ly to commence process against an accused 
church member, the Session may, if it think 
the edification of the Church requires it, 
prevent the accused from approaching the 
Lord’s table until the charges against him 
can be examined. 


110 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


CHAR AVL LI. 


SPECIAL RULES PERTAINING TO PROCESS 
AGAINST A MINISTER 


217. Process against a Minister shall be 
entered before the Presbytery of which he 1s 
a member. 

218. As no Minister ought, on account 
of his office, to be screened in his sin, or 
slightly censured, so scandalous charges 
ought not to be received against him on 
slight grounds. 


219. If any one know a Minister to be 
guilty of a private offence, he should warn 
him:in«-privatey + But. <1fthes, offences pe 
persisted in, or become public, he should 
bring the case to the attention of some other 
Minister of the Presbytery for his advice. 


220. lf a Minister accused of an offence, 
having been twice duly cited, shall refuse to 
appear before the Presbytery, he shall be 
immediately suspended. And if,after another 
citation, he shall still refuse to attend, he 
shall be deposed as contumacious, and sus- 
pended or excommunicated from the Church, - 
Record shall be made of the judgment and 


RULES OF DISCIPLINE 14 


of the charges under which he was arraigned, 
and the sentence shall be made public. 


221. Heresy and schism may be of such 
a nature as to warrant deposition; but errors 
ought to be carefully considered, whether 
they strike at the vitals of religion, and are 
industriously spread, or whether they arise 
from the weakness of the human under- 
standing, and are not likely to do much in- 
jury. 

222. If the Presbytery find on trial that 
the matter complained of amounts to no 
more than such acts of infirmity as may be 
amended, so that little or nothing remains 
to hinder the Minister’s usefulness, it shall 
take all prudent measures to remove the 
scandal. 

223. When a Minister, pending a trial, 
shall make confession, if the matter be base 
and flagitious, such as drunkenness, unclean- 
ness, or crimes of a higher nature, however 
penitent he may appear to the satisfaction of 
all, the court shall, without delay, suspend 
him from the exercise of his office, or de- 
pose him from the ministry. 


224. A Minister suspended or deposed 
for scandalous conduct shall not be restored, 


he Book or CHurcH OrRbER 


even on the deepest sorrow for his sin, until 
he shall exhibit for a considerable time such 
an eminently exemplary, humble, and edify- 
ing walk and conversation as shall heal the 
wound made by his scandal. And a deposed 
Minister shall in no case be restored until it 
shall appear that the general sentiment of the 
Church is strongly in his favor, and demands 
his restoration; and then only by the court 
inflicting the censure, or with its consent. 


225. When a Minister is deposed his 
church shall be declared vacant; but when 
he is suspended, it shall be left to the dis- 
cretion of the Presbytery whether the cen- 
sure shall include the dissolution of the 
pastoral relation. 


226. Whenever a Minister of the Gospel 
shall habitually fail to be engaged in the 
regular discharge of his official functions, 
it shall be the duty of the Presbytery, at a 
stated meeting, to inquire into the cause of 
such dereliction, and if necessary, to insti- 
tute judicial proceedings against him for 
breach of his covenant engagement. If it 
shall appear that his neglect proceeds only 
from his want of acceptance to the church, 
Presbytery may, upon the same principle 


RutLes oF DISCIPLINE 113 


upon which it withdraws license from a licen- 
tiate for want of evidence of the divine 
call, divest him of his office without cen- 
sure, even against his will, a majority of 
two-thirds being necessary for this purpose. 

In such a case, the Clerk shall, under the 
order of the Presbytery, forthwith deliver 
to the individual concerned a written notice 
that, at the next stated meeting, the question 
of his being so dealt with is to be consid- 
ered. This notice shall distinctly state the 
grounds for this proceeding. The party 
thus notified shall be heard in his own de- 
fense; and if the decision pass against him 
he may appeal, as if he had been tried after 
the usual forms. 

This principle may apply, with any neces- 
sary changes, to Ruling Elders and Deacons. 


——_——__—_ 


CHAPTER IX. 
EVIDENCE: 


227. All persons of proper age and in- 
telligence are competent witnesses, except 
such as do not believe in the existence of 
God, or a future state of rewards and pun- 
ishments, The accused party may be al- 


114 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


lowed, but shall not be compelled, to testify ; 
but the accuser shall be required to testify, 
on the demand of the accused. Either party 
has the right to challenge a witness whom 
he believes to be incompetent, and the court 
shall examine and decide upon his compe- 
tency. It belongs to the court to judge of 
the degree of credibility to be attached to 
all evidence. 


228. A husband or wife shall not be com- 
pelled to bear testimony the one against the 
other in any court. 

229. The testimony of more than one wit- 
ness shall be necessary in order to establish 
any charge; yet if, in addition to the testi- 
mony of one witness, corroborative evidence 
be produced, the offence may be considered 
to be proved. 

230. No witness afterwards to be ex- 
amined, except a member of the court, shall 
be present during the examination of another 
witness on the same case, if either party 
object. 

231. Witnesses shall be examined first by 
the party introducing them; then cross-ex- 
amined by the opposite party; after which 
any member of the court, or either party, 


Ru.Les oF DISCIPLINE 115 


may put additional interrogatories. But no 
question shall be put or answered except by 
permission of the Moderator, subject to an 
appeal to the court; and the court shall not 
permit questions frivolous or irrelevant to 
the charge at issue. 


232. The oath or affirmation to a witness 
shall be administered by the Moderator in 
the following or like terms: “You solemnly 
promise, in the presence of God, that you 
will declare the truth, the whole truth, and 
nothing but the truth, according to the best 
of your knowledge in the matter in which 
you are called to witness, as you shall an- 
swer it to the great Judge of the living and 
the dead.” If, however, at any time a wit- 
ness should present himself before a court, 
who for conscientious reasons prefers to 
swear or affirm in any other manner, he 
should be allowed to do so. 


233. Every question put to a witness shall, 
if required, be reduced to writing. When 
answered, it shall, together with the answer, 
be recorded, if deemed by the court, or by 
either party, of sufficient importance, and 
the testimony of the witness shall be read to 
him for his approbation and subscription. 


116 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


234. The records of a court, or any part 
of them, whether original or transcribed, if 
regularly authenticated by the Moderator 
and Clerk, or by either of them, shall be 
deemed good and sufficient evidence in every 
other court. 


235. In like manner, testimony taken by 
one court, and regularly certified, shall be 
received by every other court as no less valid 
than if it had been taken by itself. 


236. When it is not convenient for a court 
to have the whole, or perhaps any part of 
the testimony in any particular case, taken 
in its presence, a commission shall be ap- 
pointed, or co-ordinate court requested, to 
take the testimony in question, which shall 
be considered as if taken in the presence of 
the court; of which commission or co-ordi- 
nate court, and of the time and place of its 
meeting, due notice shall be given to the 
opposite party, that he may have an oppor- 
tunity of attending. And if the accused 
shall desire, on his part, to take testimony 
at a distance, for his own exculpation, he 
shall give notice to the court of the time 
and place at which it 18 proposed to take it 
that a commission or co-ordinate court, as 


Rutes or Discipline 117 


in the former case, may be appointed for 
the purpose. Or the testimony may be taken 
on written interrogatories, by filing the 
same with the Clerk of the court having 
jurisdiction of the case, and giving two 
weeks’ notice thereof to the adverse party, 
during which time he may file cross-interro- 
gatories, if he desire it; and the testimony 
shall then be taken by the commission or 
co-ordinate court in answer to the direct and 
cross-interrogatories, if such are filed, and 
no notice need be given of the time and 
place of taking the testimony. 


237. A member of the court who has 
given testimony in a case becomes disquali- 
fied for sitting as a judge if either party 
makes objection. 

238. An officer or private member of the 
church refusing to testify may be censured 
for contumacy. 

239. If after trial before any court new 
testimony be discovered which the accused 
believes important, it shall be his right to 
ask a new trial and it shall be within the 
power of the court to grant his request. 

240. If in the prosecution of an appeal, 
new testimony be offered, which, in the 


118 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


judgment of the appellate court, has an im- 
portant bearing on the case, it shall be com- 
petent for that court to refer the case to 
the lower court for a new trial; or, with the 
consent of parties, to take the testimony and 
proceed with the case. 


C BEOre EI GX, 
THE INFLICTION OF CHURCH CENSURES. 


241. When any member or officer of the 
church shall be found guilty of an offence 
the court shall proceed with all tenderness 
and shall deal with its offending brother in 
the spirit of meekness, the members con- 
sidering themselves lest they also be tempted. 


242. Church censures and the modes of 
administering them should be suited to the 
nature of the offences; for private offences 
censure should be administered in the pres- 
ence of the court alone, or in private by one 
or more members of the court, but in the 
case of public offences, the degree of censure 
and mode of administering it shall be within 
the discretion of the court, acting in accord- 
ance with paragraphs below which deal with 
particular censures. 


Rutes oF DIscIpLINne 119 


243. The censure of admonition should 
be administered in private by one or more 
members of the court if the offence is known 
only to a few and is not aggravated in char- 
acter. If the offence is public the admoni- 
tion should be administered by the Mod- 
erator in presence of the court and may also 
be announced in public should the court 
deem it expedient. 


244. Definite suspension should be admin- 
istered in the presence of the court alone, or 
in open session of the court, as it may deem 
best, and public announcement thereof shall 
be at the court’s discretion. 


245. Indefinite suspension should be ad- 
ministered after the manner prescribed for 
definite suspension, but with added solemnity, 
that it may be the means of impressing the 
mind of the delinquent with a proper sense 
of his danger, and under the blessing of God 
of leading him to repentance. When the 
court has resolved to pass this sentence, the 
Moderator shall address the offending 
brother to the following purpose: 

“Whereas, You, A. B. (here describe 
the person as ‘a Minister, Ruling Elder, 
Deacon, or private member of the church), 


120 Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


are convicted by sufficient proof [or, are 
guilty by your own confession], of the sin 
of—(here insert the offence), we, the Pres- 
bytery [or church Session] of C. D., in the 
name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, do now declare you suspended from 
the sacraments of the Church [and from the 
exercise of your office], until you give satis- 
factory evidence of repentance.” 

To this shall be added such advice or ad- 
monition as may be judged necessary, and 
the whole shall be concluded with prayer to 
Almighty God that he would follow this act 
of discipline with his blessing. 


246. Excommunication is to be admin- 
istered according to one or other of the two 
modes laid down for indefinite suspension, 
or to be inflicted in public as the court may 
decide. In administering this censure the 
Moderator of the Session shall make a state- 
ment of the several steps which have been 
taken with respect to the offending brother, 
and of the decision to cut him off from the 
communion of the Church. He shall then 
show from Matthew XVIII. 15-18, and I 
Cor. V. 1-5, the authority of the Church to 
cast out unworthy members, and shall ex- 


RuLes oF DISCIPLINE 121 


plain the nature, use, and consequences of 
this censure. He shall then administer the 
censure in the words following : 


“Wuereas, A. B., a member of this 
church, has been, by sufficient proof, con- 
victed of the sin, of , and after much 
admonition and prayer, obstinately refuses 
to hear the Church, and has manifested no 
evidence of repentance: Therefore, in the 
name and by the authority of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, we, the Session of the church 
of C. D., do pronounce him to be excluded 
from the sacraments, and cut off from the 
fellowship of the Church.” 

Prayer shall then be made that by God’s 
blessing this solemn action of the court may 
issue in the repentance and restoration of the 
offender, and in the establishment of all true 
believers. 





247. The censure of deposition shall be 
administered by the Moderator in the words 
following : 

“Wuereas, A. B., a Minister of this 
Presbytery [or a Ruling Elder or Deacon 
of this church], has been proved, by suffi- 
cient evidence to be guilty of the sin of ; 
we, the Presbytery [or church Session], of 





122 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


C. D., do adjudge him disqualified for the 
office of the Christian ministry [or Ruling 
Eldership, or Deaconship], and therefore we 
do hereby, in the name and by the authority 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, depose from the 
office of a Christian Minister [or Ruling 
Elder, or Deacon], the said A. B.,and do 
prohibit him from exercising any of the 
functions thereof.” If the censure include 
suspension or excommunication, the Mod- 
erator shall proceed to say: ‘We do more- 
over, by the same authority, suspend the said 
A. B., from the sacraments of the Church, 
until he shall exhibit satisfactory evidence 
of sincere repentance,” or “exclude the said 
A. B., from the sacraments, and cut him off 
from the fellowship of the Church.” 

The sentence of deposition ought to be in- 
flicted with solemnities similar to those al- 
ready prescribed in the case of excommuni- 
cation. 


ie Blane? Ta na See) Ip 
THE REMOVAL OF CENSURE. 


248. After any person has been suspended 
from the sacraments, it is proper that the 


Ru.es or DIscreLine 123 


rulers of the church should frequently con- 
verse with him as well as pray with him and 
for him, that it would please God to give 
him repentance. 


249. When the court shall be satisfied as 
to the reality of the repentance of a sus- 
pended offender, he shall be admitted to 
profess his repentance, either in the presence 
of the court alone, or publicly, and be re- 
stored to the sacraments of the Church, and 
to his office, if such be the judgment of the 
court, which restoration shall be declared to 
the penitent in words of the following 1m- 
port: 

“WHEREAS, You, A. B., have been de- 
barred from the sacraments of the Church 
[and from the office of the gospel Ministry, 
or Ruling Eldership, or Deaconship], but 
have now manifested such repentance as 
satisfies the church, we,the Session (or Pres- 
bytery) of C. D., do hereby, in the name and 
by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
absolve you from the said sentence of sus- 
pension, and do restore you to the full com- 
munion of the Church [and the exercise of 


your said office, and all the functions there- 
i 


124 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


After which there shall be prayer and 
thanksgiving. 

250. When an excommunicated person 
shall be so affected with his state as to be 
brought to repentance, and to desire to be 
readmitted to the communion of the Church, 
the Session, having obtained sufficient evi- 
dence of his sincere penitence, shall proceed 
to restore him. This may be done in the 
presence of the court, or of the congrega- 
tion as seems best to the Session. 

On the day appointed for his restoration, 
the Minister shall call upon the excommuni- 
cated person, and propose to him in the 
presence of the court, or of the congrega- 
tion, the following questions: 


“Do you, from a deep sense of your great 
wickedness, freely confess your sin in thus 
rebelling against God, and in refusing to 
hear his Church; and do you acknowledge 
that you have been in justice and mercy cut 
off from the communion of the Church? 
Answer.—I do. Do you now voluntarily 
profess your sincere repentance and contri- 
tion for your sin and obstinacy; and do you 
humbly ask the forgiveness of God and his 
Church? Answer—I do. Do you sincerely 


RuLes oF DISCIPLINE 125 


promise, through divine grace, to live in all 
humbleness of mind and circumspection ; and 
to endeavor to adorn by a holy life the doc- 
trine of God our Saviour? Answer.—lI do.” 

Here the Minister shall give the penitent 
a suitable exhortation, encouraging and com- 
forting him. Then he shall pronounce the - 
sentence of restoration in the following 
words: 

“WHEREAS, You, A. B., have been shut 
out from the communion of the Church, but 
have now manifested such repentance as 
satisfies the Church; in the name of the 
Lord Jesus Christ, and by his authority, we, 
the Session of this church, do declare you 
absolved from the sentence of excommuni- 
cation formerly pronounced against you; and 
we do restore you to the communion of the 
Church, that you may be a partaker of all 
the benefits of the Lord Jesus to your eternal 
salvation.” 

The whole shall be concluded with prayer 
and thanksgiving. 


251. The restoration of a deposed officer, 
after public confession has been made in a 
manner similar to that prescribed in the case 
of the removal of censure from an excom- 


126 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


municated person, shall be announced to him 
by the Moderator in the following form, 
namely : 

“Wuereas, You, A. B., formerly a Min- 
ister of this Presbytery [or a Ruling Elder, 
or Deacon of this church], have been de- 
posed from your office, but have now mani- 
fested such repentance as satisfies the 
Church; in the name of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and by his authority, we, the Pres- 
bytery of C. D., [or the Session of this 
church], do declare you absolved from the 
said sentence of deposition formerly pro- 
nounced against you; and we do further- 
more restore you to your said. office, and 
to the exercise of all the functions thereof, 
whenever you may be orderly called thereto.” 

After which there shall be prayer and 
thanksgiving, and the members of the court 
shall extend to him the right hand of fellow- 
ship. 

252. Whena Ruling Elder or Deacon has 
been absolved from the censure of deposition, 
he cannot be allowed to resume the exercise 
of his office in the church without re-election 
by the people. 


Rutes oF DISCIPLINE 127 


253. When a person under censure shall 
remove to a part of the country remote from 
the court by which he was sentenced, and 
shall desire to profess repentance and obtain 
restoration, it shall be lawful for the court, 
if it deems it expedient, to transmit a certi- 
fied copy of its proceedings to the Session 
(or Presbytery) where the delinquent re- 
sides, which shall take up the case and pro- 
ceed with it as though it had originated with 
itself, 


254. In the restoration of a Minister who 
has been suspended or deposed it is the duty 
of the Presbytery to proceed with great 
caution. It should first admit him to the 
sacraments, if he has been debarred from 
them, and afterwards should grant him the 
privilege of preaching on probation for a 
time, so as to test the sincerity of his re- 
pentance and the prospect of his usefulness, 
and when satisfied in these respects the Pres- 
bytery shall take steps to restore him to his 
office. But the case shall always be under 
judicial consideration until the sentence of 
restoration has been pronounced. 


128 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


CGHAPHERSXTT 
CASES WITHOUT PROCESS. 


255. When any person shall come for- 
ward and make his offence known to the 
court, a full statement of the facts shall be 
recorded and judgment rendered without 
process. 


256. If a communing member of the 
church against whom no charges are pend- 
ing shall request the Session to transfer his 
name to the roll of non-communing mem- 
bers, it shall be in the power of the Session 
to grant the request, and this action may be 
announced to the congregation should this 
seem wise and proper. This transfer, how- 
ever, should not be made until the Session, 
after inquiry and due delay, is of the judg- 
ment that the request does not spring from 
temporary doubt or special temptation. 


257. A Minister of the Gospel against 
whom there are no charges, if fully satisfied 
in his own conscience that God has not called 
him to the ministry, or if he has satisfactory 
evidence of his inability to serve the Church 
with acceptance, may report these facts at a 
stated meeting of Presbytery. At the next 


RutLes or DISCIPLINE 129 


stated meeting, if after full deliberation the 
Presbytery shall concur with him in judg- 
ment, it may divest him of his office without 
censure. This provision shall in like man- 
ner apply with any necessary changes to the 
case of Ruling Elders and Deacons; but in 
all such cases the Session of the church to 
which the Ruling Elder or the Deacon who 
seeks demission belongs shall act as the 
Presbytery acts in similar cases where a 
_ Minister is concerned. 


258. When a member or officer shall re- 
nounce the communion of this Church by 
joining some other evangelical Church, if in 
good standing, the irregularity shall be re- 
corded, and his name erased. But if charges 
are pending against him, they shall be com- 
municated to the church which he has joined. 
If the denomination be heretical, an officer 
shall have his name stricken from the roll, 
and all authority to exercise his office derived 
from this Church shall be withdrawn from 
him ; but a private member shall not be other- 
wise noticed than as above prescribed. 


130 Book oF CHurRCH ORDER 


CHAPTER XIIL. 


MODES IN WHICH THE PROCEEDINGS OF 
LOWER COURTS COME UNDER THE SUPER- 
VISION OF HIGHER COURTS. 


259. The acts and decisions of a lower 
court are brought under the supervision of a 
higher court in one or another of the fol- 
lowing modes: 


(1) Review and Control; (2) Reference; 
(3) Appeal; (4) Complaint. 

260. When the proceedings of a lower 
court are before a higher court the members 
of the lower court shall not lose the right to 
sit, deliberate, and vote in the higher court, 
except in cases of appeal or complaint. 





CELAL AE Rash Vag 


GENERAL REVIEW AND CONTROL. 


261. It is the right and duty of every 
court above the Session to review, at least 
once a year, the records of the court next 
below, and if any lower court fails to pre- 
sent its records for this purpose, the higher 
court may require them to be produced im- 
mediately, or at any time fixed by this higher 
court. 


Rutes or DIscIPLiNne 131 


262. In reviewing records of a lower 
court the higher court is to examine: 


(1) Whether the proceedings have been 
correctly recorded; (2) whether they have 
been regular and in accordance with the Con- 
stitution; (3) whether they have been wise, 
equitable, and suited to promote the welfare 
of the Church; (4) whether the lawful in- 
junctions of the higher court have been 
obeyed. 


263. It is ordinarily sufficient for the 
higher court merely to record in its own 
minutes and in the records reviewed, whether 
it approves, disapproves, or corrects the rec- 
ords in any particular; but should any seri- 
ous irregularity be discovered the higher 
court may require its review and correction 
by the lower. Proceedings in judicial cases, 
- however, shall not be dealt with under review 
and control when notice of appeal or com- 
plaint has been given the lower court; and 
no judgment of a lower court in a judicial 
case shall be reversed except by appeal or 
complaint: 

264. Courts may sometimes entirely 
neglect to perform their duty, by which neg- 
lect heretical opinions or corrupt practices 


132 Book or Cuurcu OrvER 


may be allowed to gain ground; or offenders 
of a very gross character may be suffered to 
escape; or some circumstances in their pro- 
ceedings of very great irregularity may not 
be distinctly recorded by them; in any of 
which cases their records will by no means 
exhibit to the higher court a full view of 
their procedings. If, therefore, the next 
higher court be well advised that any such 
neglect or irregularity has occurred on the 
‘part of the lower court, it is incumbent on 
it to take cognizance of the same, and to 
examine, deliberate, and judge in the whole 
matter as completely as if it had been ‘re- 
corded, and thus brought up by the review 
of the records. 


265. When any court having appellate 
jurisdiction shall be advised, either by the 
records of the court next below or by me- 
morial, either with or without protest, or 
by any other satisfactory method, of any im- 
portant delinquency or grossly -unconstitu- 
tional proceedings of such court, the first 
step shall be to cite the court alleged to have 
offended to appear by representative or in 
writing, at a specified time and place, and to 
show what it has done or failed to do in the 


RuLEs OF DISCIPLINE 133 


case in question. The court thus issuing the 
citation may reverse or redress the proceed- 
ings of the court below in other than judicial 
cases; or it may censure the delinquent 
court; or it may remit the whole matter to 
the delinquent court, with an injunction to 
take it up and dispose of it in a constitu- 
tional manner; or it may stay all further 
proceedings in the case; as circumstances 
may require. 


266. In process against a lower court, the 
trial shall be conducted according to the 
rules provided for process against indivi- 
duals, so far as they may be applicable. 





CG EE Aabe) Ra Ve 
REFERENCES. 


267. A reference is a written represen- 
tation and application made by a lower court 
to a higher for advice, or other action, on a 
matter pending before the lower court, and 
is ordinarily to be made to the next higher 
court. 


268. Among proper subjects for reference 
are matters that are new, delicate, or diff- 
cult; or on which the members of the lower 


134 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


court are very seriously divided; or which 
relate to questions involving the Constitu- 
tion and legal procedure respecting which 
the lower court feels the need of guidance. 


269. In making a reference the lower 
court may ask for advice only, or for final 
disposition of the matter referred; and in 
particular it may refer a judicial case with 
request for its trial and decision by the 
higher court. 


270. A reference may be presented to the 
higher court by one or more representatives 
appointed by the lower court for this purpose, 
and it should be accompanied with so much 
of the record as shall be necessary for proper 
understanding and consideration of the mat- 
ter referred. 


271. Although references are sometimes 
proper, yet in general it is better that every 
court should discharge the duty assigned it 
under the law of the Church. 

A higher court is not required to accede to 
the request of the lower, but it should or- 
dinarily give advice when so requested. 


272. When a court makes a reference, 
it ought to have all the testimony and other 


_ Rutes or DIsciIrLine 135 


documents duly prepared, produced, and in 
perfect readiness, so that the higher court 
may be able to fully consider and issue the 
case with as little difficulty or delay as pos- 
sible. 


—_———__ 


CEA belt tes Mavkt 
APPEALS. 


273. An appeal is the transfer to a higher 
court of a judicial case on which judgment 
has been rendered in a lower court, and is 
allowable only to the party against whom 
the decision has been rendered. The parties 
shall be known as the appellant and appellee. 
An appeal cannot be made to any court other 
than the next higher, except with its con- 
sent. 


274. Only those who have submitted to a 
regular trial are entitled to an appeal. Those 
who have not submitted to a regular trial are 
not entitled to an appeal. 


275. The grounds of appeal are such as 
the following: any irregularity in the pro- 
ceedings of the lower court; refusal of rea- 
sonable indulgence to a party on trial; 
receiving improper, or declining to receive 


136 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


proper, evidence; hurrying to a decision be- 
fore all the testimony is taken; manifesta- 
tion of prejudice in the case; and mistake or 
injustice in the judgment and censure. 


276. Notice of appeal, with the reasons 
supporting it, shall be given the court before 
its rising, or shall within ten days thereafter 
be filed with the Moderator or Clerk of the 
court. 


277. The appellant shall lodge his appeal 
and the reasons therefor with the Clerk of 
the higher court before the close of the 
second day of its sessions. It shall be the 
duty of the Clerk of the lower court to file 
with the Clerk of the higher court within the 
same time a copy of all the proceedings in 
connection with the case, including the notice 
of appeal and reasons therefor, the evidence, 
and any papers bearing on the case, which 
together shall be known as “the record of 
the case,” and the higher court shall not 
admit or consider anything not found in this 
“record,” without consent of the parties in 
the case. 


278. Notice of appeal shall have the effect 
. of suspending the judgment of the lower 


Ru.Les oF DISCIPLINE DOs 


court until the case has been finally decided 
in the higher court. If, however, the cen- 
sure is suspension or excommunication from 
the sealing ordinances, or deposition from 
office, the court may, for sufficient reasons 
duly recorded, put the censure into effect 
until the case is finally decided. 


_ 279, After a higher court has decided 
that an appeal is in order and should be en- 
tertained by the court, the following pro- 
cedure is to be adopted: (1) The reading of 
the complete record of the case, except any 
part of it that may be omitted by consent of 
- the parties and the court itself; (2) the 
parties shall be heard, the appellant having 
the right of opening and closing the argu- 
ment; (3) opportunity shall be given the 
members of the appellate court to express 
their opinions; (4) the vote shall then be 
taken, without further debate, on each speci- 
fication in this form: “Shall this specifica- 
tion of error be sustained?” If the court 
deems it wise, it may adopt a minute ex- 
planatory of its action, which shall become a 
part of its record in the case. 


280. The decision of the higher court may 
be to confirm or to reverse, in whole or in 


138 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


part, the judgment of the lower court; or to 
remit the case to the lower court for the pur- 
pose of amending the record, should it ap- 
pear incorrect or defective; or to send the 
case back for a new trial. In every case a 
full record shall be made, and a copy of it 
shall be sent to the lower court. 


281. An appellant shall be considered to 
have abandoned his appeal, if he does not 
appear before the higher court in person, 
or by counsel, by the second day of its meet- 
ing next ensuing the date of his notice of 
appeal, and the judgment of the lower court 
will stand, unless he can give the court satis- 
factory explanation of his failure to appear 
and prosecute the appeal. 


282. If an appellant manifests a litigious 
or otherwise unchristian spirit in the prose- 
cution of his appeal, he shall receive a suit- 
able rebuke by the appellate court. 


283. If a lower court shall neglect to send 
up “the record of the case,” or any part of 
it, to the injury of the appellant, it shall 
receive a proper rebuke from the higher 
court, and the judgment from which the ap- 
peal has been taken shall be suspended, until 


Rutes or DriscreLrne Ss f39 


“the record” is produced upon which the 
issue can be fairly tried. 





CHAPTER XVII. 
COMPLAINTS. 


284. A complaint is a written represen- 
tation made to a higher court against some 
act or decision of a lower court. It is the 
right of any communing member of the 
church in good standing to make complaint 
against any action of a lower court to whose 
jurisdiction he is subject, except that no 
complaint is allowable in a judicial case in 
which an appeal is taken. A complaint shall 
not be made to any other court than the 
next higher, except with its consent. 


285. Notice of complaint shall not have 
the effect of suspending the action against 
which the complaint is made, unless one- 
third of the members present when the action 
was taken shall vote for its suspension until 
the final decision in the higher court. 


286. The court against which complaint 
is made shall appoint one or more represen- 
tatives to defend its action, and the parties 


140 Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


in the case shall be known as complainant 
and respondent. 

287. The provisions relating to an appeal 

found in paragraphs 276, 277, 278, 279, 281, 
282, 283, and paragraphs 289, 292, shall, 
with any necessary changes, apply to a com- 
plaint. 
288. The higher court has power, in its 
discretion, to annul the whole, or any part, 
of the action of a lower court against which 
complaint has been made, or to send the 
matter back to the lower court with instruc- 
tions for a new hearing. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 
VOTING IN APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS. 


289. In voting upon a complaint, the vote 
shall be either to sustain, to sustain in part, 
or not to sustain. 


290. The effect of a vote to sustain shall 
be to sustain each and all of the items or 
counts of the complaint; that of a vote not 
to sustain shall be to annul each and all of 
the items or counts of the complaint; and 
that of a vote to sustain in part shall be to 


RuLes oF DIScIPLINE | 141 


sustain one or more specific items or counts 
of the complaint. 


291. Those voting to sustain in part shall 
be required when voting to state what item 
or items, count or counts of the complaint 
they desire to sustain. 


292. In making up the vote on the com- 
plaint only those items or counts shall be 
declared to be sustained for the sustaining 
of which a majority of the votes cast has 
been given. 


CHAPTER XIX. 
DISSENTS AND PROTESTS. 


293. A dissent is a declaration on the part 
of one or more members of a minority in a 
court, expressing a different opinion from 
that of the majority in a particular case. A 
dissent unaccompanied with reasons shall be 
entered on the records of the court. , 


294. A protest is a more solemn and 
formal declaration by members of a minor- 
ity, bearing their testimony against what 
they deem a mischievous or erroneous judg- 
ment, and is generally accompanied with a 
detail of the reasons on which it is founded. 


142 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


295. If a protest or dissent be couched 
in temperate language, and be respectful to 
the court, it shall be recorded; and the court 
may, if deemed necessary, put an answer 
to the protest on the records along with it. 
But here the matter shall end, unless the 
parties protesting obtain permission to with- 
draw their protest absolutely, or for the sake 
of amendment. 


296. None can join in a protest against a 
decision of any court except those who had 
a right to vote in the case. 


—_—_-_— 


CHAPTER XxX. 
JURISDICTION. 


297. When a church member shall re- 
move his residence beyond the bounds of the 
congregation of which he 1s a member, so 
that he can no longer regularly attend its 
services, it shall be his duty to transfer his 
membership by presenting a certificate of 
dismission from the Session of the church 
of which he is a member to the church with 
which he wishes to unite. When the church 
of which he is a member has no Session, or 
for other good reasons it seems impossible 


Ru.tes or DIscIPLtIne 143 


for the member to secure a certificate of 
dismission, he may be received by the Ses- 
sion upon other satisfactory testimonials, in 
which case the church of which he was a 
member shall be duly notified. 


298. When a church member shall re- 
move his residence beyond the bounds of 
the church of which he is a member into 
the bounds of another, it’ shall be the duty 
of the Pastor and Ruling Elders of the 
church of which he is a member, as far as 
possible, to continue pastoral oversight of 
him and to inform him that according to the 
teaching of our Book of Church Order it is 
his duty to transfer his membership as soon 
as practicable to the church in whose bounds 
he is living. It shall also be the duty of the 
Pastor and Ruling Elders of the church 
from whose bounds the member moved to 
notify the Pastor and Ruling Elders of the 
church into whose bounds he has moved and 
request them to take pastoral oversight of 
the member, with a view to having him 
transfer his membership. If a member, 
after having thus been advised, shall neglect 
for twelve months to have his membership 
transferred, his name shall be retired by the 


144 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


Session to a separate Roll for Non-Resident 
Members and he shall be notified. The name 
of any member whose residence has been 
unknown for two years to the Session shall 
be retired by the Session to a separate Roll 
for Retired Members, and the names on this 
retired roll shall not be reported to the Pres- 
bytery in the annual statistical report as a 
part of the total membership of the church. 
If a person on the retired roll shall apply 
for a letter of dismission, the Session may 
use its discretion in granting it. The name 
of any member who has resided without the 
bounds of the church for one year, and who 
does not in any way support the church or 
manifest any interest in it, and who refuses 
to remove his membership to another church, 
may be placed on this same retired roll. 


299. Members of one church dismissed 
to join another shall be held to be under the 
jurisdiction of the Session dismissing them 
until they form a regular connection with 
that to which they have been dismissed. 


300. When a Presbytery shall dismiss a 
Minister, licentiate, or candidate, the name 
of the Presbytery to which he is dismissed 
shall be given in the certificate, and he shall 


RULES OF DISCIPLINE 145 


remain under the jurisdiction of the Presby- 
tery dismissing him until received by the 
other. 


301. No certificate of dismission from 
either a Session or a Presbytery shall be 
valid testimony of good standing for a 
longer period than one year, unless its earlier 
presentation be hindered by some providen- 
tial cause; and such certificates given to 
persons who have left the bounds of the Ses- 
sion or Presbytery granting them, shall cer- 
tify the standing of such persons only to the 
time of their leaving those bounds. 


302. When a Presbytery shall divest a 
Minister of his office without censure, or 
depose him without excommunication, it shall 
assign him to membership in some particular 
church, subject to the approval of the Ses- 
sion of that church. 


hs » gett 


¥ 





PAR DALE 
Directory for Worship 


= 


of s1ortssti 





THE 


Directory for the Worship of God 


in the 


PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE 
NEC E RO LAT ES. 


ADOPTED 1894 


CHL ee 


OF THE SANCTIFICATION OF THE LORD'S DAY. 


303.—I. It is the duty of every person to 
remember the Lord’s day; and to prepare 
for it before its approach. All worldly 
business should be so ordered, and season- 
ably laid aside, as that they may not be 
hindered thereby from sanctifying the Sab- 
bath, as the Holy Scriptures require. : 

304.—II. The whole day is to be kept holy 
to the Lord; and to be employed in the pub- 
lic and private exercises of religion. There- 
fore, it is requisite, that there be a holy 








*The Scripture warrant for what is specified in 
the various articles of this Directory will be found 
at large in the Confession of Faith and Catechisms, 
in the places where the subjects are treated in a 
doctrinal way. 


149 


150 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


resting, all the day, from unnecessary la- 
bors; and an abstaining from those recrea- 
tions which may be lawful on other days; 
and also, as much as possible, from worldly 
thoughts and conversation. 


~305.—III. Let the provisions for the sup- 
port of the family on that day be so ordered 
that servants or others be not improperly 
detained from the public worship of God, 
nor hindered from sanctifying the Sabbath. 


306.—IV. Let every person and family, in 
the morning, by secret and private prayer, 
for themselves and others, especially for the 
assistance of God to their minister, and for — 
a blessing upon his ministry, by reading the 
Scriptures, and by holy meditation, prepare 
for communion with God in his public ordi- 
nances. 

307.—V. Let the people be careful to as- 
semble at the appointed time; that, being all 
present at the beginning, they may unite, 
with one heart, in all the parts of public 
worship; and let none unnecessarily depart 
till after the blessing be pronounced. 

308.—VI. Let the time after the solemn 
services of the congregation in public are 
over be spent in prayer, in devotional read- 


DrreEctoryY FOR WoRSHIP 15] 


ing, and especially in the study of the Scrip- 
tures, meditation, catechising, religious con- 
versation, the singing of psalms, hymns, or 
spiritual songs; visiting the sick, relieving 
the poor, teaching the ignorant, and in per- 
forming such like duties of piety, charity, 
and mercy. 


CHARGER sil 


OF THE ASSEMBLING OF THE CONGREGATION, 
AND THEIR BEHAVIOR DURING DIVINE SER- 
VICE. 


309.—I. When the time appointed for 
public worship is come, let the people enter 
the church, and having taken their seats in a 
decent, grave and reverent manner, engage 
in silent prayer for a blessing upon them- 
selves, the minister and all present, ‘as well 
as upon others who are detained from the 
house of God. 


310.—I1. In time of public worship, let 
all the people attend with gravity and rever- 
ence; forbearing to read anything except 
what the minister is then reading or citing; 
abstaining from all whisperings, from salu- 
tations of persons present or coming in; and 


152 Book oF CHurRCH ORDER 


from gazing about, sleeping, smiling, and 
all other improper behavior. It is highly 
important that children should be with their 
parents, and that the members of a family 
should sit together in the house of God. 


Cle Te herl. 


OF THE PUBLIC READING OF THE HOLY 
SCRIPTURES: 


311.—I. The reading of the Holy Scrip- 
tures in the congregation is a part of the 
public worship of God, and ought to be per- 
formed by the minister or some other au- 
thorized person. 


312.—II. The Holy Scriptures of the Old 
and New Testaments shall be read from the 
most approved translation, in the vulgar 
tongue, that all may hear and understand. 


313.—I11. How large a portion shall be 
read at once is left to the discretion of every 
minister; and he may, when he thinks it 
expedient, expound any part of what is 
read; always having regard to the time, that 
neither reading, singing, praying, preaching, 
nor any other ordinance, be disproportionate 


DIRECTORY FOR WoRSHIP 153 


the one to the other; nor the whole rendered 
too short, or too tedious. 


(Ce Pd RRA 


OF THE SINGING OF PSALMS AND HYMNS. 


314.—I. It is the duty of Christians to 
praise God by singing psalms or hymns pub- 
licly in the church, as also privately in the 
family. 

315.—II. In singing the praises of God, 
we are to sing with the spirit, and with the 
understanding also, making melody in our 
hearts unto the Lord. It is also proper that 
we cultivate some knowledge of the rules of 
music, that we may praise God in a becom- 
ing manner with our voices, as well as with 
our hearts. The whole congregation should 
be furnished with books, and ought to join 
in this part of worship. 

316.—III. The proportion of the time of 
public worship to be spent in singing is left 
to the prudence of every minister; and it is 
recommended that this part of divine ser- 
vice be conducted in such a manner as to 
encourage congregational singing. 


~ 154 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


CEAPerrene Vis 


OF PUBLIC PRAYER 


317.—I. It seems very proper to begin the 
public worship of the sanctuary by a short 
prayer; humbly adoring the infinite majesty 
of the living God; expressing a sense of our 
distance from him as creatures, and our un- 
worthiness as sinners; and humbly implor- 
ing his gracious presence, the assistance of 
his Holy Spirit in the duties of his worship, 
and his acceptance of us through the merits 
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 


318.—II. Then, after singing a psalm, or 
hymn, it is proper that, before sermon, there 
should be a full and comprehensive prayer: 
First, Adoring the glory and perfections of 
God, as they are made known to us in the 
works of creation, in the conduct of Provi- 
dence, and in the clear and full revelation 
he hath made of himself in his written 
word; Second, Giving thanks to him for all 
his mercies of every kind, general and par- 
ticular, spiritual and temporal, common and 
special; above all, for Christ Jesus, his un- 
speakable gift, the hope of eternal life 


DIRECTORY FOR WorSHIP 155 


through him, and for the mission and work 
of the Holy Spirit; Third, Making humble 
confession of sin, both original and actual, 
acknowledging, and endeavoring to impress 
the mind of every worshipper with a deep 
sense of the evil of all sin, as such, as being 
a departure from the living God; and also 
taking a particular and affecting view of the 
various fruits which proceed from this root 
of bitterness; as sins against God, our neigh- 
bor and ourselves; sins in thought, in word 
and in deed; sins secret and presumptuous ; 
sins accidental and habitual. Also, the ag- 
gravations of sin, arising from knowledge, 
or the means of it; from distinguishing mer- 
cies; from valuable privileges; from breach 
of vows, &c.; Fourth, Making earnest sup- 
plication for the pardon of sin, and peace 
with God, through the blood of the atone- 
ment, with all its important and happy 
fruits; for the Spirit of sanctification, and 
abundant supplies of the grace that is neces- 
sary to the discharge of our duty; for sup- 
port and comfort, under all the trials to 
which we are liable, as we are sinful and 
mortal; and for all temporal mercies that 
may be necessary in our passage through this 


156 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


valley of tears; always remembering to view 
them as flowing in the channel of covenant 
love, and intended to be subservient to the 
preservation and progress of the spiritual 
life; Fifth, Pleading from every principle 
warranted in Scripture; from our own ne- 
cessity ; the all-sufficiency of God; the merit 
and intercession of our Saviour; and the 
glory of God in the comfort and happiness 
of his people; Sixth, Intercession and peti- 
tion for others, including the whole world 
of mankind; for the outpouring of the Holy 
Spirit upon all flesh; for the peace, purity, 
and extension of the church of God; for 
ministers and missionaries in all lands; for 
all who are persecuted for righteousness’ 
sake; for the particular church then assem- 
bled, and all other churches associated in 
one body with it; for the sick, dying, and 
bereaved; for the poor and destitute; for 
strangers, for prisoners, the aged and the 
young; for those who travel by land and 
sea; for the community in which the church 
is situated; for civil rulers, and for what- 
ever else may seem to be necessary or suita- 
ble to the occasion. The prominence given 


DIRECTORY FOR WorSHIP 157 


, each of these topics must be left to the 
discretion of the minister. 


319.—III.. Prayer after sermon ought 
generally to have a relation to the subject 
that has been treated of in the discourse; 
and all other public prayers to the circum- 
stances that gave occasion for them. 


320.—IV. It is easy to perceive, that in 
all the preceding directions there is a very 
great compass and variety; and it is com- 
mitted to the judgment and fidelity of the 
officiating pastor to insist chiefly on such 
parts, or to take in more or less of the sev- 
eral parts, as he shall be led to by the aspect 
of Providence; the particular state of the 
congregation in which he officiates; or the 
disposition and exercise of his own heart at 
the time. But we think it necessary to ob- 
serve, that although we do not approve, as 
is well known, of confining ministers to set 
or fixed forms of prayer for public worship, 
yet it is the indispensable duty of every 
minister, previously to his entering on his 
office, to prepare and qualify himself for 
this part of his duty, as well as for preach- 
ing. He ought, by a thorough acquaintance 
with the Holy Scriptures, by reading the 


158 Book oF CHurcH ORDER 


best writers on the subject, by meditation, 
and by a life of communion with God, to 
endeavor to acquire both the spirit and the 
gift of prayer. Not only so, but when he is 
to enter on particular acts of worship, he 
should endeavor to compose his spirit, and to 
digest his thoughts for prayer, that it may 
be performed with dignity and propriety, as 
well as to the profit of those who join in 
it; and that he may not disgrace that im- 
portant service by mean, irregular, or ex- 
travagant effusions. 

321.—V. The posture of the people in 
public prayer should always be reverent, and 
as far as possible uniform. The standing 
posture is sanctioned by Scripture, and is 
recommended by the practice of the primi- 
tive church, and by immemorial usage of 
Presbyterians. ; 


CHAPTER VI. 
OF THE PREACHING OF THE WORD, 


322.—I. The preaching of the word being 
an institution of God for the salvation of 
men, great attention should be paid to the 


DIRECTORY FOR WoRrSHIP 159 


manner of performing it. Every minister 
ought to give diligent application to it; and 
endeavor to prove himself a workman that 
needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing 
the word of truth. 


323.—II. The subject of a sermon should 
be some verse or verses of Scripture, and 
its object, to explain, defend and apply some 
part of the system of divine truth; or to 
point out the nature, and state the bounds 
and obligation, of some duty. A text should 
not be merely a motto, but should fairly 
contain the doctrine proposed to be han- 
dled. It is proper also that large portions 
of Scripture be sometimes expounded, and 
particularly improved, for the instruction 
of the people in the meaning and use of the 
Sacred Oracles. 

324.—III. The method of preaching re- 
quires much study, meditation, and prayer. 
Ministers ought, in general, to prepare their 
sermons with care, and not to indulge them- 
selves in loose, extemporary harangues; nor 
to serve God with that which cost them 
naught. They ought, however, to keep to 
the simplicity of the gospel, expressing 
themselves in language agreeable to Scrip- 


160 Book or CHurCH ORDER 


ture, and adapted to the understanding of 
the meanest of their hearers, carefully avoid- 
ing ostentation, either of gifts or learning. 
They ought also to adorn, by their lives, 
the doctrine which they teach; and to be ex- 
amples to the believers, in word, in conversa- 
tion, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 

325.—IV. As one primary design of pub- 
lic ordinances is to pay social acts of hom- 
age to the most high God, ministers ought 
to be careful not to make their sermons so 
long as to interfere with or exclude the im- 
portant duties of prayer and praise; but 
preserve a just proportion between the sev- 
eral parts of public worship. 


326.—V. The sermon being ended, the 
minister is to pray, and return thanks to 
Almighty God; then let a psalm or hymn be 
sung, and the assembly dismissed with the 
apostolic benediction. 


327.—VI. It is both a privilege and a duty 
plainly enjoined in Scripture to make regu- 
lar, systematic, and liberal offerings for the 
support of religion, and for the propagation | 
of the gospel in our own and in foreign 
lands, as well as for the relief of the poor. 


Drrectory For WorsHIP 161 


This should be done as an exercise of grace 
and an act of worship, and at such time 
during the service as may be deemed expedi- 
ent by the Session. 


328.— VII. It is expedient that no person 
be introduced to preach in any of the 
churches under our care, without the con- 
sent of the pastor or church Session, unless 
sent by the Presbytery. 


CHAPTER. VII. 


THE SABBATH SCHOOL. 


329.—I. The exercises appropriate to the 
Sabbath-school are prayer, singing praise 
to God, the study of the Holy Scriptures, 
the Confession of Faith, together with the 
Catechisms of the Church and the Book of 
Church Order, and offerings for religious 
purposes, especially for the work of mis- 
sions. But its services must not be allowed 
to interfere with attendance upon the regu- 
lar public worship of the Lord’s day, on the 
one hand, nor with parental instruction on 
the other; and the school is always to be 


162 Book or CHurRcH ORDER 


under the ae and Sut of the 
Session. 


330.—II. The superintendent should 
promptly open the school at the appointed 
hour, and throughout the time allotted 
should have the general oversight of the 
classes, seeing that every class is supplied. 
with a competent teacher, that proper be- 
havior is maintained by the teachers and 
scholars, and endeavoring so to conduct the 
exercises as to give them spirit and at- 
tractiveness, and at the same time to pre- 
serve their devotional character. 


331—III. It is the duty of teachers to 
carefully prepare for their work, by study, 
meditation, and prayer; to speak to the un- 
converted among their scholars on the sub- 
ject of their personal salvation; to visit them 
in their homes, especially when they are in 
sickness or trouble, and to pray for God’s 
blessing upon them. It is of great impor- 
tance that the teachers be in their places 
promptly at the opening of the school, and 
that they encourage punctuality on ths part 
of their scholars. 

332.—IV. The custom of persons leaving 
off attendance on the Sabbath-school when 


DrrEctory FOR WoRrSHIP 163 


they attain to maturity is not to be com- 
mended, and it is eminently desirable that, 
as far as possible, the whole congregation 
be engaged in the Sabbath-school work, 
either as officers, teachers, scholars, or vis- 
itors. The formation of adult classes for 
the study of the Scriptures is earnestly re- 
commended. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


PRAYER MEETINGS. 


333.—I. Meetings of the congregation for 
prayer should be_held under the direction 
of the session. They may be maintained, 
either statedly where that is possible, or at 
seasons specially appointed where the scat- 
tered condition of the congregation renders 
stated meetings impracticable. Such meet- 
ings should be conducted by the pastor, some 
other member of the Session, or any duly 
qualified member of the church; and the 
exercises should be prayer, praise, the read- 
ing of the Scriptures, and exhortation. 


164 Book oF CuHurcH ORDER’ 


334.—II. It is earnestly recommended 
that the male members be encouraged to 
lead in public prayer, and that they be care- 
ful to make their prayers devotional and of 
a moderate length. 


(rs alee kes 


OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM. 


The Baptism of Infants. 


335.—I. Baptism is not to be unneces- 
sarily delayed; nor to be administered, in 
any case, by any private person; but by a 
minister of Christ, called to be the steward 
of the mysteries of God. 

336.—II. It is usually to be administered 
in the church, in the presence of the congre- 
gation. 

337.—III. After previous notice is given 
to the Minister, the child to be baptized is 
to be presented, by one or both the parents, 
signifying their desire that the child may be 
baptized. : 

338.—IV. Before baptism, let the Minis- 
ter use some words of instruction, respect- 


DIRECTORY FOR WoRrRSHIP 165 


ing the institution, nature, use and ends of 
this ordinance; showing: 


“That it is instituted by Christ; that it 
is a seal of the righteousness of faith; that 
the seed of the faithful have no less a right 
to this ordinance, under the gospel, than the 
seed of Abraham to circumcision, under the 
Old Testament; that Christ commanded all 
nations to be baptized; that he blessed little 
children, declaring that of such is the king- 
dom of heaven; that the promise of the gos- 
pel is to the believer and his house; that 
household baptism was practiced by the 
apostles; that we are, by nature, sinful, 
guilty, and polluted, and have need of 
cleansing, by the blood of Christ, and by 
the sanctifying influences of the Spirit of 
God.” 


The Minister is also to exhort the parents 
to the careful performance of their duty; 
requiring, . 

“That they teach the child to read the 
Word of God; that they instruct it in the 
principles of our holy religion, as contained 
in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testa- 
ments, an excellent summary of which we 
have in the Confession of Faith, and in the 


166 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the 
Westminster Assembly, which are to be 
recommended to them, as adopted by the 
church, for their direction and assistance, 
in the discharge of this important duty; that 
they pray with and for it; that they set an 
example of piety and godliness before it; 
and endeavor, by all the means of God’s 
appointment, to bring up their child in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord.” 


339.—V. The minister may then propose 
the following, or like questions: 

(1) Do you acknowledge your child’s 
need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, 
and the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit? 

(2) Do you claim God’s covenant prom- 
ises in [his] behalf, and do you look in faith 
to the Lord Jesus Christ for [his] salvation, 
as you do for your own? 

(3) Do you now unreservedly dedicate 
your child to God, and promise, in humble 
reliance upon divine grace, that you will en- 
deavor to set before [him] a godly exam- 
ple, that you will pray with and for [him], 
that you will teach [him] the doctrines of 
our holy religion, and that you will strive, 
by all the means of God’s appointment, to 


Drrectory FoR WorSHIP 167 


bring [fim] up in the nurture and admoni- 
tion of the Lord? 

340.—VI. Then the Minister is to pray 
for a blessing to attend this ordinance; after 
which, calling the child by name, he shall 
say, | 
. “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” 

As he pronounces these words, he is to 
baptize the child with water, by pouring or 
sprinkling it on the face of the child, with- 
out adding any other ceremony; and the 
whole shall be concluded with prayer. 

Although it is proper that baptism be ad- 
ministered in the presence of the congrega- 
tion, yet there may be cases when it will 
be expedient to administer this ordinance in 
private houses; of which the minister is to 
be the judge. 


CEPA PCR 


“OF THE ADMISSION OF PERSONS TO SEALING 
ORDINANCES. 


341.—I. Children born within the pale of 
the visible church, and dedicated to God in 
baptism, are under the inspection and gov- 


168 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


ernment of the church, and are to be taught 
to read and repeat the Catechism, the Apos- 
tle’s Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer. They 
are to be taught to pray, to abhor sin, to 
fear God, and to love and obey the Lord 
Jesus Christ. And when they come to years 
of discretion, they ought to be urgently re- 
minded that they are members of the church 
by birthright, and that it is their duty and 
privilege personally to accept Christ, con- 
fess him before men, and seek admission to 
the Lord’s supper. 


342.—II. The time when young persons 
come to years of discretion cannot be pre- 
cisely fixed. This must be left to the pru- 
dence of the Session of the church, whose 
office it is to judge, after careful examina- 
tion, of the qualifications of those who apply 
for admission to sealing ordinances. 


343.—III. When unbaptized persons ap- 
ply for admission into the church, they shall, 
in ordinary cases, after giving satisfaction 
with respect to their knowledge and piety, 
make a public profession of their faith, in 
the presence of the congregation, and there- 
upon be baptized. 


DIRECTORY FOR WorSHIP 169 


344.—IV. It is recommended, as edify- 
ing and proper, that baptized persons, when 
admitted by the Session to the Lord’s sup- 
per, make a public profession of their faith 
in the presence of the congregation. But in 
all cases, there should be a clear recognition 
of their previous relation to the church as 
baptized members. 


345—V. (1) The time having come for 
the making of a public profession, and those 
who have been approved by the session hav- 
ing taken their places in the presence of 
the congregation, the minister may state 
that,— 


Of the number of those who were bap- 
tized in infancy as members of the church 
of God by birthright, and heirs of the cov- 
enant promises, and who were then dedi- 
cated to God by their parents in solemn vows, 
the session has examined and approved as 
to [their] faith in Christ, and knowledge 
to discern the Lord’s body, A, B, and C, 
who [come] now to assume for [themselves | 
the full privileges and responsibilities of 
[their] inheritance in the household of faith. 


(2) If there be present any candidates 
for baptism, the Minister may state that,— 


170 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


As applicants for admission into the 
church of God by baptism, which is a sign 
and seal of our engrafting into Christ, and 
of our engagément to be the Lord’s the 
session has examined and approved as to 
[their] personal experience of divine grace, 
and [their] acceptance of Christ, D, E, and 
F, who [are] cordially welcomed into the 
goodly fellowship of the saints. 


(3) The Minister may then address those 
making a profession in the following terms: 


[All of] you being here present to make 
a public profession of faith, are to assent to 
the following declarations and promises, by 
which you enter into a solemn covenant with 
God and his Church: 


1. Do you acknowledge yourselves to be 
sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving 
his displeasure, and without hope save in his 
sovereign mercy ? 

2. Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ 
as the Son of God, and Saviour of sinners, 
and do you receive and rest upon him alone 
for salvation as he is offered in the gospel? 


_ 3. Do you now resolve and promise, in 
humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy 


DirEcTORY FOR WorSHIP 171 


Spirit, that you will endeavor to walk as 
becometh the followers of Christ, forsaking 
all sin, and conforming your life to his 
teaching and example? 

4. Do you submit yourselves to the gov- 
ernment and discipline of the church, and 
promise to study its purity and peace? 

The minister may now briefly admonish 
those making a profession of faith as to the 
importance of the solemn obligations they 
have assumed; then baptism may be admin- 
istered, if there be present any candidates 
for the ordinance; and the whole concluded 
with prayer. 

346.—VI. When persons are received 
from other churches by letters of dismission, 
their names are to be announced to the con- 
gregation, with a recommendation of them 
to its Christian confidence and affection. 


CHAPTER XI. 
OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S 
SUPPER. 


347.—I. The Communion, or Supper of 
the Lord, is to be celebrated frequently ; but 
how often may be determined by the session 


42 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


of each congregation, as they may judge 
most for edification. 


348.—II. The ignorant and scandalous 
are not to be admitted to the Lord’s supper. 


349.— III. It is proper that public notice 
should be given to the congregation, at least 
the Sabbath before the administration of 
this ordinance, and that, either then, or on 
some day of the week, the people be in- 
structed in its nature, and a due preparation 
for it, that all may come in a suitable man- 
ner to this holy feast. 


350.—IV. When the sermon is ended, the 
Minister shall show, 


“That this is an ordinance of Christ; by 
reading the words of institution, either from 
one of the evangelists, or from I Corinthians 
x1., which, as to him may appear expedient, 
he may explain and apply; that it is to be 
observed in remembrance of Christ, to show 
forth his death till he come; that it is of in- 
estimable benefit, to strengthen his people 
against sin; to support them under troubles; 
to encourage and quicken them in duty; to 
inspire them with love and zeal; to increase 
their faith, and holy resolution; and to beget 


DiIrRECTORY FOR WoRrRSHIP 173 


peace of conscience, and comfortable hopes 
of eternal life.” 


He is to warn the profane, the ignorant, 
and scandalous, and those that secretly in- 
dulge themselves in any known sin, not to 
approach the holy table. On the other hand, 
he shall invite to this holy table such as, 
sensible of their lost and helpless state of 
sin, depend upon the atonement of Christ 
for pardon and acceptance with God; such- 
as, being instructed in the gospel doctrine, 
have a competent knowledge to discern the 
Lord’s body, and such as desire to renounce 
their sins, and are determined to lead a holy 
and godly life. 

Since, by our Lord’s appointment, this 
sacrament sets forth the communion of 
saints, the Minister, before the celebration 
begins, should invite all those who profess 
the true religion, and are communicants in 
good standing in any evangelical church, to 
participate in the ordinance. It is proper 
also to give a special invitation to non-com- 
municants to remain during the service. 

351.—V. The table, on which the elements 
are placed, being decently covered, and fur- 
nished with bread and wine, and the com- 


» Aya Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


municants orderly and gravely sitting around 
it (or in their seats before it), the Elders 
in a convenient place together, the Minister 
should then set the elements apart, by prayer 
and thanksgiving. 


The bread and wine being thus set apart 
by prayer and thanksgiving, the Minister is 
to take the bread, and break it, in the view 
of the people, saying: 

“Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the same 
night in which he was betrayed, having taken 
bread, and blessed and broken it, gave it 
to his disciples; as I, ministering in his name, 
give this bread unto you; saying [here the 
bread is to be distributed], Take, eat; this 
is my body, which is broken for you: this 
do in remembrance of me.” 

After having given the bread, he shall 
take the cup, and say— 

“After the same manner our Saviour also 
took the cup, and having given thanks, as 
hath been done in his name, he gave it to 
the disciples saying [while the minister is 
repeating these words let him give the cup], 
This cup is the new testament in my blood, 
which is shed for many, for the remission 
of sins: drink all ye of it.” 


Drrecrory FoR WorsHIP PKS 7 


For the sake of order it is recommended 
that the minister be served after the people, 
and that he then serve the elders. 


352.—VI. Since believers are to act per- 
sonally in all their covenanting with the 
Lord, it is proper that a part of the time oc- 
cupied in the distribution of the elements 
should be spent by all in silent communion, 
thanksgiving, intercession and prayer. 


353.—VII. The minister may; in a few 
words, put the communicants in mind: 


“Of the grace of God, in Jesus Christ, 
held forth in this sacrament; and of their 
obligation to be the Lord’s; and may exhort 
them to walk worthy of the vocation where- 
with they are called; and, as they have pro- 
fessedly received Christ Jesus the Lord, that 
they be careful so to walk in him, and to 
maintain good works.” 


It may not be improper for the minister 
to give a word of exhortation also to those 
who have been only spectators, reminding 
them: “Of their duty, stating their sin and 
danger, by living in disobedience to Christ, 
in neglecting this holy ordinance; and call- 
ing upon them to be earnest in making pre- 


176 Book or CHurcH ORDER 


paration for attending upon it at the next 
time of its celebration.” 


Then the minister is to pray and give 
thanks to God, 


“For his rich mercy, and invaluable good- 
ness, vouchsafed to them in that sacred com- 
munion; to implore pardon for the defects 
of the whole service; and to pray for the 
acceptance of their persons and perform- 
ances; for the gracious assistance of the 
Holy Spirit to enable them, as they have re- 
ceived Christ Jesus the Lord, so to walk in 
him; that they may hold fast that which 
they have received, that no man take their 
crown; that their conversation may be as 
becometh the gospel; that they may bear 
about with them, continually, the dying of 
the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus 
may be manifested in their mortal body; that 
their light may so ‘shine before men, that 
others, seeing their good works, may glorify 
their Father who is in heaven.” 


An offering for the poor or other sacred 
purpose is appropriate in connection with 
this service, and may be made at such time 
as shall be ordered by the session. 


DrrEcTORY FOR WorSsHIP L/h 


Now let a psalm or hymn be sung, and 
the congregation dismissed, with the follow- 
ing or some other gospel benediction: 

“Now the God of peace, that brought 
again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that 
great Shepherd of the sheep, through the 
blood of the everlasting covenant, make you 
perfect in every good work to do his will, 
working in you that which is well-pleasing 
in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom 
be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 


354.— VIII. As it has been customary, in 
some parts of our church, to observe a fast 
before the Lord’s supper; to have a sermon 
on Saturday and Monday; and to invite two 
or three ministers on such occasions; and 
as these seasons have been blessed to many 
souls, and may tend to keep up a stricter 
union of ministers and congregations, we 
think it not improper that they who choose 
it may continue in this practice. 


CE Atin a IRs hes 


OF THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE, 


355.—-I. Marriage is a divine institution, 
though not a sacrament, nor peculiar to the 


178 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


church of Christ. It is proper that every 
commonwealth, for the good of society, 
make laws to regulate marriage, which all 
citizens are bound to obey. 


356.—II. Christians ought to marry in 
the Lord; therefore it is fit that their mar- 
riage be solemnized by a lawful minister, 
that special instruction may be given them, 
and suitable prayers made, when they enter 
into this relation. 


357.—III. Marriage is to be between one 
man and one woman only; and they are not 
to be within the degrees of consanguinity or 
affinity prohibited by the Word of God. 


358.—IV. The parties ought to be of such 
years of discretion as to be capable of mak- 
ing.their own choice; and if they be under 
age, or live with their parents, the consent 
of the parents or others, under whose care 
they are, ought to be previously obtained, 
and well certified to the minister, before he 
proceeds to solemnize the marriage. 


359,—V. Parents ought neither to compel 
their children to marry contrary to their in- 
clinations, nor deny their consent without 
just and important reasons. 


DIRECTORY FOR WoRSHIP 179 


360.—VI. Marriage is of a public nature. 
The welfare of civil society, the happiness 
of families, and the credit of religion, are 
deeply interested in it. Therefore the pur- 
pose of marriage ought to be sufficiently 
published a proper time previously to the 
solemnization of it. It is enjoined on all 
ministers to be careful that, in this matter, 
they neither transgress the laws of God nor 
the laws of the community; and that they 
may not destroy the peace and comfort of 
families, they must be properly certified with 
respect to the parties applying to them, that 
no just objections lie against their marriage. 


361.— VII. Marriage must always be per- 
formed before a competent number of wit- 
nesses, and it is recommended that it be not 
on the Lord’s day. And the Minister is to 
give a certificate of the marriage when re- 
quired. 


362.—VIII. Let the Minister keep a prop- 
er register for the names of all persons 
whom he marries, and of the time of their 
marriage, for the perusal of all whom it 
may concern, 


180 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


CHAPTER XIII. 


OF THE VISITATION OF THE SICK. 


363.—The miraculous gifts of healing 
which the Spirit gave to many in the apos- 
tles’ days are no longer bestowed upon the 
church; but now, as of old, we are to ask 
the blessing of God upon all proper means 
which are employed for the relief of the | 
sick, remembering that the power of the 
prayer of faith is as great as ever. Hence, 
when persons are sick, it is their duty, be- 
fore their strength and understanding fail 
them, to send for their Minister, or some 
Elder of the church, and to make known to 
him, with prudence, their spiritual state; or 
to consult him on the concerns of their im- 
mortal souls. And it is his duty to visit 
them and to apply himself, with all tender- 
ness and love, to minister to their spiritual 
good. But, in view of the varying circum- 
stances of the sick, the ordering of the 
whole service must be left to the discretion 
of the person who performs it, 


Drrectory For WorSsHIP 181 


CHAPTER XIV. 


THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 


364.—I. The exercises proper for such 
an occasion are: The singing of appropri- 
ate psalms or hymns; the reading of some 
suitable portion or portions of Scripture, 
with such remarks as it may seem proper to 
the Minister to make; prayer, in which the 
bereaved shall be especially remembered, 
and God’s grace sought on their behalf, that 
their affliction may be blessed to their ever- 
lasting good, and that they may be sustained 
and comforted in their sorrow. 


365.—II. These funeral services are to be 
left largely to the discretion of the Minister 
performing them; but he should always re- 
member that the proper object of the service 
is the warning, instruction, or consolation 
of the living, and be careful to avoid abus- 
ing God’s word by associating the hopes of 
the gospel with the close of an irreligious 
life. 


182 Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


CHAPTER XV. 


OF DAYS OF FASTING, AND OF THANKSGIVING. 


366.—I. There is no day under the gospel 
commanded to be kept holy, except. the 
Lord’s day, which is the Christian Sabbath. 


367.—II. Nevertheless, to observe days of 
fasting and thanksgiving, as the dispensa- 
tions of Divine Providence may direct, is 
both scriptural and rational. 


368.—III. Fasts and thanksgivings may 
be observed by individual Christians; or 
families, in private; by particular congrega- 
tions; by a number of congregations contig- 
uous to each other; by the congregations 
under the care of a presbytery, or of a 
synod; or by all the congregations of our 
church. 


369.—IV. It must be left to the judgment 
and discretion of every Christian and family 
to determine when it is proper to observe a 
private fast or thanksgiving; and to the 
church Sessions to determine for particular 
congregations, and to the presbyteries or 
synods to determine for larger districts. 


Drrectory FoR WorsHIP 183 


When it is deemed expedient that a fast or 
thanksgiving should be general, the call for 
them must be judged of by the General As- 
sembly. And if at any time the civil power 
should think it proper to appoint a fast or 
thanksgiving, it is the duty of the ministers 
and people of our communion, as we live 
under a Christian government, to pay all due 
respect to the same. 


370.—V.. Public notice is to be given a 
convenient time before the day of fasting 
or thanksgiving comes, that persons may so 
order their temporal affairs that they may 
properly attend to the duties thereof. 


371.—VI. There should be public worship 
upon all such days; and let the prayers, 
psalms or hymns; portions of Scripture to 
be read, and sermons, be all in a special 
manner adapted-to the occasion. 


372.—V II. On fast days, let the Minister 
point out the authority and providences call- 
ing to the observance thereof; and let him 
spend a more than usual portion of time in 
solemn prayer, particular confession of sin, 
especially of the sins of the day and place, 
with their aggravations, which have brought 
down the judgments of heaven. And let the 


184 Book oF CHurcH ORDER 


whole day be spent in deep humiliation and 
mourning before God. 


373.—VIII. On days of thanksgiving, he 
is to give the like information respecting the 
authority and providences which call for the 
observance of them; and to spend a more 
than usual part of the time in the giving of 
thanks, agreeably to the occasion, and in 
singing psalms or hymns of praise. 

It is the duty of the people on these days 
to rejoice with holy gladness of heart; but 
let trembling be so joined with their mirth, 
that no excess or unbecoming levity be in- 
dulged. 


GHAPTER XV. 


SECRET AND FAMILY WORSHIP. 


374.—I. Besides the public worship in the 
congregations, it is the indispensable duty 
of each person in secret, and of every family 
in private, to pray to and worship God. 

375.—II. Secret worship is most plainly 
enjoined by our Lord. In this duty every 
one, apart, is to spend some time in prayer, 


DIRECTORY FOR WoRSHIP 185 


reading the Scriptures, holy meditation, and 
serious self-examination. The many ad- 
vantages arising from a conscientious per- 
formance of these duties are best known to 
those who are found in the faithful dis- 
charge of them. 


376.— III. Family worship, which ought 
to be performed by every family, ordinarily 
morning and evening, consists in prayer, 
reading the Scriptures, and singing praises. 

377.—IV. The head of the family, who is 
to lead in this service ought to be careful 
that all the members of his household duly 
attend; and that none withdraw themselves 
unnecessarily from any part of family wor- 
ship; and that all refrain from their com- 
mon business while the Scriptures are read, 
and gravely attend to the same, no less than 
when prayer or praise is offered. 

378.—V. Let the heads of families be 
careful to instruct their children and _ ser- 
vants in the principles of religion. Every 
proper opportunity ought to be embraced 
for such instruction. Therefore the paying 
of unnecessary private visits on the Lord’s 
day; admitting strangers into the families 
except when necessary or charity requires 


186 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


it; or any other practices, whatever plausi- 
ble pretences may be offered in their favor, 
are to be highly disapproved if they inter- 
fere with the above important and _neces- 
sary duty. 


OPTIONAL FORMS* 


MARRIAGE SERVICE. 
Whether the marriage 1s in the church or 
in a private house, the betrothed shall pre- 
sent themselves attended by witnesses, the 
man having the woman at lus left hand, be- 
fore the Minister, who shall say: 


The Lord bless you, and keep you: the 
Lord make his face shine upon you, and be 
gracious unto you: the Lord lift up his coun- 
tenance upon you, and give you peace. 

If any here present can show just cause 
why these persons may not lawfully be 
joined together in marriage, let them now 
speak, or hereafter forever hold their peace. 

Marriage is a divine ordinance instituted 
for the promotion of man’s happiness and 
the glory of God. The sacredness of the 
relation is revealed by the fact that the Holy 
Spirit has selected it as an apt emblem of 
the union existing between our Lord and his 





*Approved by the General Assembly in 1893, 
which directed that they be published as an 
Appendix to the Book of Church Order, 


187 


188 Book or CuHurRCH ORDER 


bride, the Church. Hence, beloved friends, 
take heed to the exhortation of the inspired 
apostle, “Husbands, love your wives, even 
as Christ also loved the Church, and gave 
himself for it.” “Wives, submit yourselves 
to your own husbands as unto the Lord.” 
The happiness contemplated by this union 
is realized only by those who fully appreci- 
ate its sacredness and are faithful in the per- 
formance of the mutual obligations growing 
out of it, and seek daily God’s blessing, 

And now as you enter into this new rela- 
tion, consecrated by heaven’s benediction 
and hallowed by all that is tenderest and 
truest in human affection, I entreat you both 
to join with me in the prayer that God may 
bless this union, and sanctify it to the fur- 
therance of your good and to the glory of his 
most holy name. 


THE PRAYER. 


Most gracious God, fountain of life and 
love and joy, look with merciful favor upon 
these thy servants now to be joined in holy 
wedlock, and enable them ever to remem- 
ber and truly keep the vows which they 


MARRIAGE 189 


make as they enter into covenant with one 
another and with thee, in accordance with 
thy holy word, through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. Amen. 


THE COVENANT. 


[Here the parties join their right hands, 
and the minister says :] 

Do you, M., take N., whom you now 
hold by the hand to be your lawful and 
wedded wife, and do you promise in the 
presence of God and these witnesses to be 
to her a faithful, loving and devoted hus- 
band, so long as you both shall live? 

[The man answers “I do,’ | 

Do you, N., take M., whom you hold by 
the hand to be your lawful and wedded 
husband, and do’ you promise in the pres- 
ence of God and these witnesses to be to 
him a faithful, loving and obedient wife, 
so long as you both shall live? 

[The woman answers, “I do.’ | 

[If a ring is given and received, the Min- 
ister shall say:] 

Let this ring be the token of your plighted 
faith, and the memorial of your mutual and 
unending love. 


190 Book or CHurcH ORDER 


[Then the Minister, addressing himself to 
the company present, says :| 


Forasmuch as these persons have cove- 
nanted together in marriage in accordance 
with the laws of the commonwealth, I do 
now pronounce them husband and wife, 
after the ordinance of God. Whom, there- 
fore, God hath joined together, let no man 
put asunder. 


THE PRAYER. 


Almighty and ever blessed God, our 
heavenly Father, place the seal of thy lov- 
ing approval upon the union of these two 
hearts and lives in the sacred bonds of 
matrimony. Enable thy servants, by the 
gift of thy sufficient grace to be faithful 
in keeping the vows they have now as- 
sumed. Whether in prosperity or in ad- 
versity, in sickness or in health, in sorrow 
or in joy, may their love and sympathy for 
each other never fail. Into thy holy keep- 
ing we now commit them, praying that they 
may ever live “as being heirs together of 
the grace of life.” For Jesus’ sake. Amen. 


- FUNERAL SERVICE 191 


BENEDICTION. 


[Zhen the married pair standing, or kneel- 
ing, the Minister shall pronounce the bene- 
diction : | 

God the Father, God the Son, God the 
Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; 
the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon 
you, and so fill you with his grace that you 
may live faithfully together in this life, and 
in the world to come may have life ever- 
lasting. Amen. 


A FUNERAL SERVICE. 


[Let the service begin with the reading of 
the whole or a part of the following selec- 
tions from Scripture :| 

I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith 
the Lord; he that believeth in me, though 
he were dead, yet shall he live: and who- 
soever liveth and believeth in me, shall never 
die. 

Man that is born of woman is of few 
days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth 
like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also 
as a shadow, and continueth not. 


192 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


For we are strangers before thee, and 
sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days 
on the earth are as a shadow, and there is 
none abiding. 

We brought nothing into this world, and 
it is certain we can carry nothing out. 

The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
away: blessed be the name of the Lord. 


PRAYER OF INVOCATION. 


© God, who are our God, and our fath- 
ers’ God; thou whose compassions fail not, 
but who art the same yesterday, today, and 
forever, grant us now thy presence, we be- 
seech thee, that our souls may be strength- 
ened, and that we faint not under thine af- 
flicting providence, but that through thy 
condescension we may find all grace to help 
in this our time of need, which we ask in 
the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and 
Saviour, to whom, with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, we will ascribe all honor, majesty and 
might, world without end. Amen. 


HyMn. 


FUNERAL SERVICE 193 


[Lhen let the whole or a part of the fol- 
lowing selections of Scripture be read :| 


PSALM XxXxix. 4-13. 


Lord, make me to know mine end, and 
the measure of my days, what it is; that I 
may know how frail I am. 

Behold, thou hast made my days as a 
handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing 
before thee; verily every man at his best 
state is altogether vanity. 

Surely every man walketh in a vain show; 
surely they are disquieted in vain: he heap- 
eth up riches, and knoweth not who shall 
gather them. 

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my 
hope is in thee. 

Deliver me from all my transgressions: 
make me not the reproach of the foolish. 

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; be- 
cause thou didst it. 

Remove thy stroke away from me: I am 
consumed by the blow of thine hand. 

When thou with rebukes dost correct man 
for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to con- 
sume away like a moth: surely every man is 
vanity. 


Jee 


194 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear 
unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears; 
for I am a stranger with thee, and a so- 
journer, as all my fathers were. 

O spare me, that I may recover strength, 
before I go hence, and be no more. 


PSAnM xC0l-T2! 


Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place 
in all generations. 

Before the mountains were brought forth, 
or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the 
world, even from everlasting to everlasting, 
thou art God. 

Thou turnest man to destruction; and 
sayest, Return, ye children of men. 

For a thousand years in thy sight are but 
as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch 
in the night. 

Thou carriest them away as witha flood; 
they are as a sleep; in the morning they are 
like grass which groweth up; in the morn- 
ing it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the 
evening it is cut down, and withereth. 

For we are consumed by thine anger, and 
by thy wrath are we troubled. 


FUNERAL SERVICE 195 


Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, 
our secret sins in the light of thy counte- 
nance. 

For all our days are passed away in thy 
wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is 
told. 

The days of our years are threescore 
years and ten; and if by reason of strength 
they be fourscore years, yet is their strength 
labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and 
we fly away. 

Who knoweth the power of thine anger? 
even according to thy ear, so is thy wrath. 


So teach us to number our days, that we 
may apply our hearts unto wisdom. 


L_ COR! xv" 20-95) 


Now is Christ risen from the dead, and 
become the firstfruits of them that slept. 
For since by man came death, by man came 
also the resurrection of the dead. For as 
in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all 
be made alive. But every man in his own 
order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they 
that are Christ’s at his coming. Then com- 
eth the end, when he shall have delivered 


196 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


up the kingdom to God, even the Father ; 
when he shall have put down all rule, and 
all authority and power. For he must reign 
till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is 
death. For he hath put all things under his 
feet. But when he saith all things are put 
under him it is manifest that he is excepted 
which did put all things under him. And 
when all things shall be subdued unto him, 
then shall the Son also himself be subject 


[Instead of the foregoing passage from I 
Cor xv., one or more of the following may 
be substituted as the occasion may require :| 


ECCLESIASTES X11. 


Remember now thy Creator in the days 
of thy youth, while the evil days come not, 
nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt 
say, I have no pleasure in them; while the 
sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, 
be not darkened, nor the clouds return after 
the rain: in the day when the keepers of 
the house shall tremble, and the strong 
men shall bow themselves, and the grind- 
ers cease because they are few, and 


FUNERAL SERVICE 197 


unto him that put all things under him, that 
God may be all in all. Else what shall they 
do which are baptized for the dead, if the 
dead rise not at all? why are they then bap- 
tized for the dead? And why stand we in 
jeopardy every hour? I protest by your re- 
joicing which I have in Christ Jesus our 
Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of 
men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, 
what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? 
let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die. 
Be not deceived: evil communications cor- 








those that look out of the windows be dark- 
ened, and the doors shall be shut in the 
streets, when the sound of the grinding is 
low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the 
bird, and all the daughters of music shall 
be brought low; also when they shall be 
afraid of that which is high, and fears 
shall be in the way, and the almond tree 
shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a 
burden, and desire shall fail: because man 
goeth to his long home, and the mourners 
go about the streets: or ever the silver cord 
be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or 
the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the 


198 Book oF CHurcH ORDER 


rupt good manners. Awake to righteous- 
ness and sin not; for some have not the 
knowledge of God: I speak this to your 
shame. 

But some man will say, How are the dead 
raised up? and with what body do they 
come? ‘Thou fool, that which thou sowest 
is not quickened, except it die: and that 
which thou sowest, thou sowest not that 


wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the 
dust return to the earth as it was; and the 
spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 


PSALM XXvVil. 


The Lord is my light and my salvation; 
whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength 
of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 
When the wicked, even mine enemies and 
my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, 
they stumbled and fell. Though a host 
should encamp against me, my heart shall 
not fear: though war should rise against 
me, in this will I be confident. One thing 
have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek 
after; that I may dwell in the house of the 
Lord all the days of my life, to behold the 


FUNERAL SERVICE 199 


body that shall be, but bare grain, it may 
chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 
but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased 
him, and to every seed his own body. All 
flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one 
kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, 
another of fishes, and another of birds. 
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies 
terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is 
one, and the glory of the terrestrial is an- 
other. There is one glory of the sun, and 
another glory of the moon, and another 





beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his 
temple. For in the time of trouble he shall 
hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his 
tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me 
up upon a rock. And now shall mine head 
be lifted up above mine enemies round about 
me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle 
sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing 
praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, when 
I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon 
me, and answer me. When thou saidst, 
Seek ye my face, my heart said unto thee, 
thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy 
face far from me; put not thy servant away 


200 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


glory of the stars; for one star differeth 
from another star in glory. So also is the 
resurrection of the dead. It is sown in cor- 
ruption, it is raised in incorruption: it is 
sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is 
sown in weakness, it is raised in power: 
it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiri- 
tual body. There is a natural body, and 
there is a spiritual body. And so it is writ- 
ten, The first man Adam was made a liv- 
ing soul; the last Adam was made a quick- 
ening spirit. Howbeit, that was not first 





in anger; thou hast been my help; leave me 
not, neither forsake me, O God of my salva- 
tion. When my father and my mother for- 
sake me, then the Lord will take me up. 
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in 
a plain path, because of mine enemies. De- 
liver me not over unto the will of mine ene- 
mies; for false witnesses are risen up against 
me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had 
fainted, unless I had believed to see the 
goodness of the Lord in the land of the liv- 
ing. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, 
and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I 
say, on the Lord. 


FUNERAL SERVICE 20) 


which is spiritual, but that which is natural; 
and afterwards that which is spiritual. The 
first man is of the earth, earthy: the second 
man is the Lord from heaven. As is the 
earthy such are they also that are earthy: 
and as is the heavenly, such are they also 
that are heavenly. And as we have borne 
the image of the earthy, we shall also bear 
the image of the heavenly. 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and 
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; 
neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 


REVELATION xxii 1-5, 


And he shewed me a pure river of water 
of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of 
the throne of God and of the Lamb. In 
the midst of the street of it, and on either 
side of the river, was there the tree of life, 
which bear twelve manner of fruits, and 
yielded her fruit every month: and the 
leaves of the tree were for the healing of 
the nations. And there shall be no more 
curse; but the throne of God and of the 
Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall 
serve him; and they shall see his face; and 
his name shall be in their foreheads. And 


202 Book or CHurcH ORDER 


Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall 
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 
in a-moment, in the twinkling of an eye, 
at the last trump: for the trumpet shall 
sound, and the dead shall be raised incor- 
ruptible, and we shall be changed. For this 
corruptible must put on incorruption, and 
this mortal must put on immortality. So 
when this corruptible shall have put on in- 
corruption, and this mortal shall have put on 
immortality, then shall be brought to pass 
the saying that is written, Death is swal- 
lowed up in victory. O death, where is thy 
sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The 
sting of death is sin; and the strength of 
sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which 
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be 
ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding 
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye 
know that your labor is not in vain in the 
Lord. 





there shall be no night there; and they need 
no candle, neither light of the sun; for the 
Lord God giveth them light; and they shall 
reign for ever and ever. 


FUNERAL SERVICE 203 


PRAYER. 


Almighty and most merciful God, our 
heavenly Father, the consolation of the sor- 
rowful and the support of the stricken, who 
dost not willingly afflict the children of men, 
look in pity, we beseech thee, on all upon 
whom thou hast laid thine afflicting hand, 
and, in the multitude of thy tender mercies, 
be pleased to uphold and comfort them in 
the day of their trial and distress. Grant 
us all grace that we may lay to heart the 
lesson of this solemn providence, and work 
while the day lasteth, knowing that the 
night cometh, when no man can work; and 
that we may set our affections on things 
that are in heaven, and not on things that 
are on the earth. Enable us to live by faith 
on the Son of God, that when Christ, who is 
our life, shall appear, we also may appear 
with him in glory. 

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lamb 
of God, which taketh away the sin of the 
world, to whom shall we go but unto thee? 
Thou hast the words of eternal life. Thou 
who wast a Man of Sorrows and acquainted 
with grief, have pity upon those who cry 


204 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


unto thee. When our eyes grow dim in the 
shadows of death, and we pass through the 
deep waters, by thine agony and _ bloody 
sweat, and by thy death on Calvary, we be- 
seech thee to remember us. O thou who 
hast saved us, forsake us not in the trying 
hour; thou who hast vanquished death, give 
us the victory, and bring us to thine own 
everlasting rest in the assembly of thy saints 
on high. 


O God, the Holy Ghost, author of light 
and life and truth, inspire our souls with 
hope through the gospel of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, imparting the benefits of his atone- 
ment, and the power of his all-sufficient 
grace. Release us from our sins; fill us 
with the fruits of thine own indwelling, and 
form us anew in the image of God. Help 
us now, O blessed Comforter; heal our 
wounded spirits and despise not thou our 
broken and contrite hearts. 

O God the Father, God the Son, and God 
the Holy Ghost, Triune Jehovah, have | 
mercy upon us, thy servants, as we wait 
before thee: and hear our prayer. Be 
pleased graciously to attend to our humble 
requests, and to do for us all that we need, 


FUNERAL SERVICE 205 


glorifying thyself by us both in this present 
world, and in that which is to come: all of 
which we ask through Jesus Christ our 
Lord. Amen. 

Our Father which art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. And for- 
give us our debts, as we forgive our debt- 
ors. And lead us not into temptation, but 
deliver us from evil: For thine is the king- 
dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. 
Amen. 


BENEDICTION. 


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
the love of God, and the communion of the 
Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 

[ After which the service may be concluded 
with a hymn. For service at the grave see 


page 198.] 


206 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


A CHILD’S FUNERAL. 


[Let the service begin with the reading of 
the whole or a part of the following selec- 
tion from Scripture :] 


The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble: 
the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 
send thee help from the sanctuary, and 
strengthen thee out of Zion. 


Man that is born of a woman is of few 
days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth 
like a flower, and is cut down; he fleeth also 
as a shadow, and continueth not. 


The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken 
away ; blessed be the name of the Lord. 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are 
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 


PRAYER. 


Father of mercies, God of all grace, ever 
comforting us by the tender assurance of 
thy love for all those whom thou dost chast- 
en, be near to us now in this hour of sor- 
row, as we come to cast our care upon thee, 


FUNERAL SERVICE 207 


and seek the strength and consolation thou 
only canst impart. 


As a father pitieth his children, so do thou 
pity those who sit before thee, smitten and 
afflicted. As one whom his mother com- 
forteth, do thou comfort them, and so sanc- 
tify to them this sorrow that theirs may be 
everlasting consolation. 


© thou that leadest Joseph like a flock, 
who knowest thine own sheep by name as 
they follow thee, carrying the lambs in thine 
arms and folding them in thy bosom, it is 
not thy will that one of these little ones 
should perish. When thou dost send thy 
messenger, like a gentle shepherd, to lead 
them into the heavenly pastures, may be- 
reaved parents hear the voice which says, 
Suffer the little children to come unto me, 
and forbid them not. Fill them with resig- 
nation to thy will; give them the consola- 
tions of thy Spirit, and grant that, through 
thy grace, this chastening may be for their 
profit, that, being made partakers of thy 
holiness, they may be prepared for ever- 
lasting blessedness in that world where, after 
the separations and sorrows of this life, they 
may be for ever with one another and with 


208 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


the Lord, through the merits and mediation 
of Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Saviour. 
Amen. 


Hymn. 


The Minister may read the whole or a 
part of the following selections: 


PSALM XXili. 


The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not 
want. He maketh me to lie down in green 
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still wa- 
ters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me 
in the paths of righteousness for his name’s 
sake. Yea, though I walk through the val- 
ley of the shadow of death, I will fear no 
evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy 
staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a 
table before me in the presence of mine 
enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; 
my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and 
mercy shall follow me all the days of my 
life; and I will dwell in the house of the 
Lord for ever. 

David therefore besought God for the 
child; and David fasted, and went in, and 
lay all night upon the earth. And the elders 


FUNERAL SERVICE 209 


of his house arose, and went to him to raise 
him up from the earth; but he would not, 
neither did he eat bread with them. And it 
came to pass on the seventh day, that the 
child died.. And the servants of David 
feared to tell him that the child was dead: 
for they said, Behold, while the child was 
yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would 
not hearken unto our voice: how will he 
then vex himself if we tell him that the child 
is dead? 

But when David saw that his servants 
whispered, David perceived that the child 
was dead: therefore David said unto his 
servants, Is the child dead? And they said, 
He is dead. Then David arose from the 
earth, and washed, and anointed himself, 
and changed his apparel, and came into the 
house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he 
came to his own house; and when he re- 
quired, they set bread before him, and he 
did eat. Then said his servants unto him, 
What thing is this that thou hast done? thou 
didst fast and weep for the child while it 
was alive; but when the child was dead thou 
didst rise and eat bread. And he said, 
While the child was yet alive, I fasted and 


= 


210 Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


wept: for I said, who can tell whether God 
will be gracious to me, that the child may 
live? But now he is dead, wherefore should 
I fast? Can I bring him back again? I 
shall go to him, but he shall not return to 
me, 


I, even I, am he that comforteth you: 
As one whom his mother comforteth, so will 
I comfort you. 


What I do thou knowest not now; but 
thou shalt know hereafter. 


My son, despise not thou the chastening 
of the Lord, nor faint when thou art re- 
buked of him: For whom the Lord loveth 
he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son 
whom he receiveth. If ye endure chasten- 
ing, God dealeth with you as with sons; for 
what son is he whom the father chasteneth 
not? Now no chastening for the present 
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: never- 
less afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit 
of righteousness unto them which are exer- 
cised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands 
which hang down, and the feeble knees; 
For ye have not received the spirit of bond- 
age again to fear; but ye have received the 
Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, 


FUNERAL SERVICE 211 


Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness 
with our spirit, that we are the children of 
God: and if children, then heirs: heirs of 
God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be 
that we suffer with him, that we may be also 
glorified together. For I reckon that the 
sufferings of this present time are not worthy 
to be compared with the glory which shall 
be revealed in us. 


Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe 
in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s 
house are many mansions: if it were not so, 
I would have told you. I go to prepare a 
place for you. And if I go and prepare a 
place for you, I will come again, and receive 
you unto myself; that where I am, there ye 
may: be also. 

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith 
your God. 

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; 
he shall gather the lambs with his arms, and 
carry them in his bosom. 

And they brought young children to him, 
that he should touch them; and his disciples 
rebuked those that brought them. 

But when Jesus saw it, he was much dis- 
pleased, and said unto them, Suffer the little 


212 Book oF CHuRCH ORDER 


children to come unto me, and forbid them 
not; for of such is the kingdom of God. 
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not 
receive the kingdom of God as a little child, 
he shall not enter therein. And he took 
them up in his arms, put his hands upon 
them, and blessed them. 


- Take heed that ye despise not one of these 
little ones; for I say unto you, That in 
heaven their angels do always behold the face 
of my father which is in heaven. 


For the Son of man is come to save that 
which was lost. How think ye? If a man 
have a hundred sheep, and one of them be 
gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and 
nine, and goeth into the mountains, and 
seeketh that which is gone astray? And if 
so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, 
he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of the 
ninety and nine which went not astray. 
Even so it is not the will of your Father 
which is in heaven, that one of these little 
ones should perish. 

Therefore are they before the throne of 
God, and serve him day and night in his 
temple: and he that sitteth on the throne 
shall dwell among them. They shall hunger 


FUNERAL SERVICE 213 


no more, neither thirst any more; neither 
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the 
throne shall feed them, and shall lead them 
unto living fountains of water; and God shall 
wipe away all tears from their eyes. 


PRAYER. 


O God, our heavenly Father, who through 
the blood of thy Son hast provided redemp- 
tion for all thine own, we would render thee 
most hearty thanks, in this our time of grief, 
for the sure confidence we have that the 
soul of this dear child whose loss we mourn 
is at rest in thee. Not a sparrow falleth to 
the ground without our Father, and those 
who are of more value than many sparrows 
cannot die until thou, who regardest with 
tender compassion the weakest of thy crea- 
tures, dost call them to thyself. We would 
not sorrow as those who have no hope, but 
bow in humble submission to thy sovereign 
decree, and by divine grace would say, Thy 
will be done. 

Vouchsafe unto thy servants, we beseech 
thee, the consolations of thy Spirit, giving 


214 Book or CHurRCH ORDER 


us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourn- 
ing, and the garment of praise for the spirit 
of heaviness. May this chastisement which 
now seemeth so grievous yield in us the 
peaceable fruits of righteousness, by draw- 
ing us into closest fellowship with thee, that 
we may not set our affections on the things 
of this world, but upon that blessed home 
above, where all who have departed in 
Christ await us beyond the reach of sorrow. 

Shine upon our darkness, O Lord; par- 
don all our sins; build us up and strengthen: 
us in our most holy faith; and at last give 
us the victory over death, bringing us in 
holiness and joy to thine own eternal rest. 

Hear now our prayer, O God, and be 
pleased mercifully to bestow the blessings 
which we need, for the love of Jesus Christ, 
thy well-beloved Son, to whom, with thee 
and the Holy Ghost, be all dominion, glory 
and praise, world without end. Amen. 


Lorp’s PRAYER. 


Our Father which art in heaven, Hal- 
lowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 


FUNERAL SERVICE 215 


Give us this day our daily bread. And for- 
give us our debts as we forgive our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver 
us from evil; For thine is the kingdom, and 
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 


BENEDICTION. 


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the 
love of God, and the communion of the 
Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 


Hymn. 


AT THE GRAVE. 


[ After the body has been lowered into the 
grave (or the sea), the following words may 
be said :] 


Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty 
God, in his wise providence, to take out of 
this world the soul of our deceased (broth- 
er), we therefore commit (his) body to the 
ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust 
to dust: awaiting the hour when all who 
are in their graves shall hear the voice of 
the Son of God, and shall come forth, “they 
that have done good, unto the resurrection 


216 Book or CuHurcH ORDER 


of life and they that have done evil, unto 
the resurrection of judgment.” 

I would not have you to be ignorant, 
brethren, concerning them which are asleep, 
that ye sorrow not, even as others which 
have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus 
died, and rose again, even so them also 
which sleep in Jesus will God bring with 
him. 

And I heard a voice from heaven saying 
unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which 
die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith 
the Spirit, that they may rest from their 
labors; and their works do follow them. 


PRAYER. 


Almighty God, who hast sanctified the 
grave by thy Son’s rest therein, and by his 
glorious resurrection hast brought life and 
immortality to light, accept, we pray thee, 
our unfeigned thanks for the victory which 
he has obtained for us and for all who sleep 
in him, and keep us who are still in the 
body, in everlasting fellowship with all that 
wait for thee on earth, and with all that are 
around thee in heaven, in union with him 
who is the resurrection and the life, who 


FUNERAL SERVICE 217 


liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy 
Ghost, ever one God, world without end. 
Amen. 


O merciful God, the Father of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and 
the life; in whom whosoever believeth, shall 
live, though he die; and whosoever liveth 
and believeth in him, shall not die eternally ; 
who also hath taught us, by his holy Apostle 
Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, 
for those who sleep in him; we humbly be- 
seech thee, O Father, to raise us-:from the 
death of sin unto the life of righteousness ; 
that when we shall depart this life, we may 
rest in him; and that, at the general resur- 
rection in the last day, we may be found ac- 
ceptable in thy sight; and receive that bless- 
ing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then 
pronounce to all who love and fear thee, 
saying, Come, ye blessed children of my 
Father, receive the kingdom prepared for 
you from the beginning of the world. Grant 
this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, 
through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Re- 
deemer. Amen.* 








*This prayer is from John Knox’s Liturgy. 


218 Book or CHuRCH ORDER 


BENEDICTION 


Now the God of peace, that brought again 
from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great 
Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood 
of the everlasting covenant, make you per- 
fect in every good work to do his will, 
working in you that which is well pleasing 
in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom 
be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 


RULES OF 
PARLIAMENTARY ORDER 





RULES OF 
PARLIAMENTARY ORDER 


Of Opening the Sessions. 


1. The Moderator shall take the chair 
precisely at the hour to which the court 
stands adjourned; shall immediately call the 
members to order; and on the appearance of 
a quorum, the session shall be opened with 
prayer. 

2. If a quorum be assembled at the hour 
appointed, and the Moderator be absent, the 
last Moderator, or oldest Minister present 
shall take the chair without delay. 


3. If a quorum be not assembled at the 
hour appointed, any two members shall be 
competent to adjourn from time to time, 
that an opportunity may be given for a 
quorum to assemble. 


*These rules were adopted by the General As- 
sembly of 1866 for its own guidance. As there 
has been no subsequent action; as several of. the 
lower courts have also adopted them; and as it is 
important for our judicatories and officers to have 
some manual on this subject of convenient access, 
these rules are here published; but, of course, 
form no part of the Constitution of the church. 


221 


222 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


4. After calling the roll, and marking the 
absentees, the minutes of the last sitting 
shall be read, and, if requisite, corrected. 


Of the Moderator. 


5. It shall be the duty of the Moderator 
to preserve order, and to conduct all busi- 
ness before the court to a speedy and proper 
result. 


6. He is to propose to the court every 
subject of deliberation that comes before it. 


7. He may propose what appears to him 
the most regular and direct way of bringing 
any business to issue. 


8. He shall always announce the names 
of members rising to speak, prevent them 
from interrupting each other, and require 
them, in speaking, always to address the 
chair. | 

9. He shall prevent a speaker from devi- 
ating from the subject, and from using per- 
sonal reflections. 

10. He shall silence those who refuse to 
observe order. 

11. He shall prevent members leaving the 
court without his permission. 


Ru.Les oF PARLIAMENTARY ORDER 223 


12. He shall, when the deliberations are 
ended, put the question, and call the vote. 


13. In all questions he shall give a clear 
and concise statement of the object of the 
vote, and the vote being taken, he shall de- 
clare how the question is decided. 


14. He shall carefully keep notes of the 
orders of the day, and call them up at the 
times appointed. 

15. He may speak to points of order in 
preference to other members, rising from 
his seat for that purpose, and shall decide 
questions of order subject to an appeal to 
the court, without debate, by any two mem- 
bers. f 

16. If any member consider himself ag- 
grieved by a decision of the Moderator, it 
shall be his privilege to appeal to the court, 
and the question on such appeal shall be 
taken without debate. 

17. It is ‘his duty to appoint all commit- 
tees except in those cases in which the court 
shall decide otherwise. 

18. When a vote is taken by ballot, or by 
yeas and nays, he shall vote with the other 
members; in other cases, when the court is 
equally divided, he shall possess the casting 


224 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


vote. If he be not willing to decide, he 
shall put the question a second time, and if 
the court be again equally divided, and he 
decline to give his vote, the question shall 
be lost. | 

19. He may call any member to the chair, 
to preside temporarily. 


Of the Clerk. 


20. As soon as possible after the com- 
mencement of the first session of every 
court, the clerk shall form a complete roll 
of the members present, and put the same 
into the hands of the Moderator; and when- 
ever any additional members take their 
seats, he shall add their names in their proper 
places to the said roll. 

21. He shall immediately file all papers 
in the order in which they have been read, 
with proper indorsements, and keep them 
in perfect order. 


Of the Order of Business. 


22. After the reading of the minutes of 
the preceding day, the following order of 
business shall be observed : 


RuLeES OF PARLIAMENTARY ORDER 225 


First. The receiving of— 


(a) Communications addressed to the 
body ; 

(b) Reports of standing committees ; 

(c) Reports of select committees ; 

(d) Resolutions; each of which papers 
may, by unanimous consent, be taken up 
immediately on presentation, but if objection 
be made it shall be docketed. 

SEconpLy. The unfinished business in 
which the court was engaged at the last pre- 
ceding adjournment, in preference to orders 
of the day; but such unfinished business may, 
on motion, without debate, be laid on the 
. table, to proceed with the special order. 


TuirpLy. As soon as the special order 
and the unfinished business are disposed of, 
the business on the docket will be called; 
but motions to elect officers, to appoint com- 
mittees, and to enroll members, shall always 
be in order, unless a member is speaking, or 
the court is voting. 


Of Motions. 


23. A motion must be seconded, and after- 
‘ward repeated by the Moderator, or read 


226 Book or CHURCH ORDER 


aloud, before it is debated; but this shall be 
no bar to explanation of the object of any 
motion by the mover, provided he does not 
exceed five minutes; and every motion shall 
be reduced to writing, if the Moderator or 
any member require it. 


24. The mover of a resolution is entitled 
to the floor if he so desire, after the Mod- 
erator has stated the question. 


Of Withdrawal of Motions. 


25. Any member who shall have made a 
motion, shall have liberty to withdraw it, 
with the consent of his second, before any 
debate has taken place thereon, but not 
afterward, without the leave of the court. 


Of Limitations of Debate. 


26. Motions to lay on the table, to docket, 
to take up business, and to adjourn, and the 
call for the question, shall be put without 
debate. On questions of order, postpone- 
ment, or commitment, no member shall 
speak more than once. On all other ques- 
tions each member may speak twice, but not 
oftener, without express leave of the court. 


RuLES OF PARLIAMENTARY ORDER ~° 227 


_Of Privileged Questions. 


27. When a question is under debate, no 
motion shall be received unless to adjourn, 
to docket, to lay on the table, to amend, to 
postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a day 
certain, or to commit; which several mo- 
tions shall have precedence in the order in 
which they are herein arranged; and the 
motion for adjournment shall always be in 
order. 


Of “the Question.” 


28. When any member shall call for “the 
question,’ the Moderator shall, without de- 
bate, put the vote, “Is the court ready for 
the question?” If the call be seconded by 
a majority of the members present the vote 
shall immediately be taken on the pending 
question, whatever it may be, without fur- 
ther debate. 


Of Division of the Question. 


29. If a motion under debate contains 
several parts, any two members may have it 
divided, and a question taken on each part. 


228 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


Of Amendments. 


30. An amendment may be moved on any 
question, as also an amendment to the 
amendment, which shall be decided before 
the original proposition; but two distinct 
amendments to the pending question shall 
not be entertained at the same time, whether 
moved as substitutes for the whole matter, 
or as changing any part thereof. 

31. One proposition may be substituted 
for another, when the substitute covers the 
whole matter of the original, and this shall 
be done by moving to strike out the original 
and to insert the substitute. 


Of Reconsideration, 


32. A question shall not be reconsidered 
at the same sessions of the court at which it 
has been decided, unless by the consent of a 
majority of the members who were present 
at the decision, and unless the motion to re- 
consider be made by a person who voted 
with the majority. 

33. A subject which has been indefinitely 
postponed shall not be again called up dur- 


RuLes oF PARLIAMENTARY ORDER 229 


ing the same sessions of the court, unless 
by the consent of three-fourths of the mem- 
bers who were present at the decision. 


Of Speakers. 


34. If more than one member rise to speak 
at the same time, the member who is most 
distant from the moderator’s chair shall 
speak first. 


35. Every member, when speaking, shall 
address himself to the Moderator, and shall 
treat his fellow-members, and especially the 
Moderator, with decorum and respect. 


Of Interruptions. 


36. No speaker shall be interrupted, unless 
he be out of order, or for the purpose of 
correcting mistakes or misrepresentations. 


Of Voting. 


37. Members shall not decline voting, un- 
less excused by the court. 

38. When various motions are made with. 
respect to the filling of blanks with particu- 
lar numbers or times, the question shall al- 


230 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


ways be first taken on the highest number 
and the longest time. : 

39. When the Moderator has commenced 
taking the vote, no further debate or re- 
mark shall be admitted, unless there has 
evidently been a mistake; in which case the 
mistake shall be rectified, and the Moderator 
shall recommence taking the vote. 

40. The yeas and nays on any question 
shall not be recorded, unless it be required 
by one-third of the members present; and 
every member shall vote “yea” or “nay,” 
unless excused by the court. In a judicial 
case, members thus excused shall not be al- 
lowed a vote in any of the subsequent pro- 
ceedings relating thereto. 

41. In all elections it shall require a ma- 
jority of the votes cast to elect. 


Of Committees. 


42. The person first named on any com- 
mittee shall be considered as the chairman 
thereof, whose duty it shall be to convene 
the committee and preside therein; and in 
case of his absence, or inability to act, the 
second named member shall take his place 
and perform his duties. 


RuLes OF PARLIAMENTARY ORDER 231 


Of Private Sessions. 


43. All courts have a right to sit in private 
on business which, in their judgment, ought 
not to be matter of public speculation. 


Of the Committee of the Whole. 


44, Every court has a right to resolve it- 
self into a committee of the whole, or to 
hold what are commonly called interlocutory 
meetings, in which members may freely con- 
verse together without the formalities 
necessary in their ordinary proceedings. In 
all such cases the Moderator shall name the 
member who is to preside as chairman. If 
the committee be unable to agree, a motion 
may be made that the committee rise, and 
upon the adoption of such motion the Mod- 
erator shall resume the chair, and the chair- 
man of the committee shall report what has 
been done, and ask that the committee be 
discharged, which being allowed, the matter 
shall be dropped. If the committee shall 
agree upon the report to be made, or have 
made progress in the same without coming 
to a conclusion, the committee may rise, re- 
port what has been done, and if the case 


252 Book oF CHURCH ORDER 


require, may ask leave to sit again; or the 
committee of the whole may be dissolved, 
and the question considered by the court in 
the usual order of business. 


Of Decorum. 


45. Without express permission, no mem- 
ber of a court, while business is going on, 
shall engage in private conversation; nor 
shall members address one another, nor any 
person present, but through the Moderator. 


46. When more than three members of 
the court shall be standing at the same time, 
the Moderator shall require all to take their 
seats, the person only excepted who may be 
speaking. 


47. If any member act in any respect ina 
disorderly manner, it shall be the privilege 
of any member, and the duty of the Mod- 
erator, to call him to order. 


48. No member shall retire from any court 
without the leave of the Moderator, nor 
withdraw from it to return home without 
the consent of the court. 


RuLES OF PARLIAMENTARY ORDER 233 


Of Cases Unprovided for. 


49, All cases that may arise, not provided 
for in the foregoing rules, shall be governed 
by the general principles of parliamentary 
law. 


Of Closing the Sessions. 


50. The Moderator of every court, above 
the church Session, in finally closing its ses- 
sions, in addition to prayer, may cause to be 
sung an appropriate psalm or hymn, and 
shall pronounce the apostolic benediction. 





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INDEX 


5 


PAGE: 


¢ P : iM 


4 
’ 





INDEX 237 


INDEX 
The references in this index are to paragraphs 


: PAR, 
ABSENTEE MEMBERS, how reported..... 298 
ACCUSATIONS, caution in receiving...... 189 
PSM tt L) 
PALIOWEM LO TOSUIEY. 5 ccna s Ca ce cena qh RCI 227 
May be debarred from Lord’s fable VO t. WaIS 216 
Maygehallenge withess uit) :aneaoet. kiki art 22h 
Maviplead in writing) \o caro. fos ss loots 195 
Not compelled. to, testifye..i .: skies on 8 227 
erate Oberoi et theta NT tee Ae siete aie 189 
PeCUS LL: 
May be compelled to testify............... 227 
Maver nalienrec witness ey cnc sis ots ceed 64 Cah 


Presbyterian Church in the United States.. 184 
ADULT NON-COMMUNING MEMBERS: 


Entitled to special attention................ 171 

Linder care. otc hurchawsaeee <ois seolese tie . 171 
ADMONITION: 

DIETINGTI GE Ieee ee Aes oes cle cree Pdtee ns 178 

Tigre icte Reeth aT Rt ee a So ec 178 


AMBASSADOR, title of Minister of Word.. 33 


AMENDING CONSTITUTION: 
BooktorecburchivOrdend.. outa tsk 160 
Confession of Faith and Catechisms........ 161 
Procedure when Presbyteries fail to act.... 163 
What the Constitution consists of.......... 159 


238 INDEX 


APPEALS* PAR. 
Appellant and appellee, who are............ 213 
Appellant must appear by second day....... 281 
Appellant must give notice within ten days.. 276 
Decision of -higherieoutt Ame2 Gow stn <a 280 
Defined es Scie vis are ae coe Reicks cena 273 
Description “OL* appeal. ves. ase one keane 273 
Fatlure to: prosecutésares ack eee oes 281 
Grounds 40, 20d Uae pec avee eee tenia a ate 275 
Lodged with clerk for higher court......... OA 
Lower court may be rebuked for failure.... 283 
Must be lodged with higher court on second 

iE ee ee aE tAel ig A bedi amor AR agian Beg ai ape Fi 
Notice of suspends judgment of lower court 278 
Order sors procediires:. (yo. eke.) Aaaeeeae 279 
RarticseetO.nved acoddcnd ate od BEER Mee SON 273 
Penalty .fortHtipioussspiritt® 20 nsCo2, De 282 
Various decisions the higher court may 

TENE iie Waaa cs hv sad He te ae 280 
Who: are. entitled. to. appeal.0) 27 2200G%..0 274 

BAPTIZED MEMBERS: 

Duty of ‘Church te adults: :2... 0. 9. eee 171 
Pntitied to-carelot (church. 4. seas wae 28 
Subjects of s#biscipiitie yess te ee ee 165 

BAPTISM: 

Of adults professing faith in Christ. .29, 343, 345 
Ore Ti tatite pide yor even pase ene ian ate wre re 24; dan 
BIBLE CLASS, established by Session...... 169 

BISHOP, title of Minister of Word........ a0 


BOOK OF CHURCH ORDER: 
Assembly may urge delinquent Presbyteries 


tO WOte seo ere eres rane ee 163 
Failure of Presbyteries to vote, Assembly 
may defer action one. year.......ssecesee 163 
FIG 7, CHANROG wc nc weg ee ent ee a eee 160 
How. it may be amended.s.4.e 407. erence 160 
Whataticorisistsvorre se ate ee eee 159 
BURIAL OF EE IDEAL acces ets 364 
Funeral. Services adult.s.0hscitd «rene pages, 191-205 


Funeral Service, ,child.a. sis,cs0ie baernes pages, 206-218 


INDEX 239 
PAR. 


CALL OF PASTOR, see election of pastor 122-131 
CANDIDATE FOR MINISTRY: 


Continues a private member of church...... 105 
Duty.of<Presbytery to «+ a7; PROS Es i ee 105 
Instructors must report to Presbytery...... 107 
May be dismissed to another Presbytery.... 108 
May conduct public worship, etc............ 106 
May withdraw from Presbytery........... 108 
Must be member of Church............... 102 
Must report to Presbytery................. 107 
Wuestions’ td ber asked Py) Peace? . BET TIAL SR 104 
Should place himself under care of Pres- 
DVUELY: Chr oer Lo Pat Chad CRON OS UDI 103 
CANDIDATES FOR LICENSURE, see 
PGES et AIG ate se it sc tas 109-120 © 


CASES BEFORE SESSIONS: 
May prevent accused from approaching 


fe N '6 CLS WY (CR ee Dad Ea"? Bb Sie oe a TRENT, 216 
When court may inflict highest censure..... 215 
When sentence should be made public...... 214 

CASES OF PROCESS: 

Accused must say if guilty or not......... 195 
Accused party may plead in writing...... 195 
Citations must be duly served............. 202 
Maer eesiiist. be, madelout.. ic .abesb sau. 194 
Charge must be reduced to writing........ 195 
Citation signed by moderator or clerk....... 196 
Clerk must keep all papers................ 210 
Copies of .papers allowed parties........... 210 
Court: must decide ‘all points... :..0..2..... 206 
Pistualthcatonsac3.b isis tweeted ee 209 
Duties of pecans Committees, when ap- 

DOU aaa seca es is hice, shh dpte ak cil nde acta os ge 203 
EP XAMINAHOM OL) WITNESSES...» of ne- nnn tue wee 205 
ROTO TACO USM Ge ca Nts ohana vince 4 0 193-212 
How carried from lower to higher court.... 210 


Moderator must charge court............. 204 


240 INDEX 


CASES OF PROCESS (Continued) : PAR. 
Must statestimen place *etc] Sa aes. ae 197 
Order .of sproceduretavee,. mite ae cae. eae 207 
Professional counsel not allowed........... 211 
Result of refusal to obey citation.......... 198 
Right* of -challenges-2:... 4.60 ates nee 208 
Testimony of distant witnesses............ 200 
‘The. record:oi«the; cases «25 tenusacem rod or 210 


Time after second citation discretionary.... 199 
Time between first citation and meeting of 


COUrt ts bo LheW. BAe BEER, SUR ee ee 199 
Time limit for cases of scandal............ 212 
Transferring case to co-ordinate court..... 201 
When sentence for contumacy may be im- 

WOSEdi Me sts es ecr ce nee ca tre ee 198 
Watnessesrto ( Deicited: eave A... 4p rae 195 

CASES;WITHOUT. PROCESS; 
Eifect.of volimtary, statement... 2.) a cina cee 255 
Procedure in case of, a: ministerass..2<% oa: 257, 
Procedure in case of elder or deacon....... 254 
Transferring communing member to non- 

COMMUMNG? LOL tee ee ee reco ee ce 256 
When a name may be erased from roll..... 258 


CERTIFICATE OF CHURCH MEMBER- 
Sa 


Good. only. for: one vyear. 32. eke tio. Ae 301 
Receptions-of » member! 'By . sso. veer. Deere 346 
Valid testimony of standing............... 301 
CERTIFICATE OF MINISTER, the rule 
concerning certificate of dismission...... 300 
CHALLENGE IN CASE OF PROCESS: 
Richt: of accused 2 oe ue tine dae eck toca thee 208 
WV itnessesaltt Case (753. eca< dteciee ae ames 227 
CHARGES : 
Caution in receiving charges against minister 218 
Hirst; steps: ta. he Wtaken se vrs oe ac cal eee 193 
Moderator “to ‘charge? court!*.. ....-5-. sce 204 


Must berin’ writine.. oe, ace cee eae 195 


INDEX 241 


-HILDREN: PAR. 
Tnstructionn bye Gaurcl....).+.dceslesnt. da-eesti 169 
Members of visible Church................ 12 
Oyersighiapyenarents.). ..2.setios septate pots 168 
When they should assume full membership.. 170 

GHRIST:: 

PSE INGORE ce, dbl gh SENS on kre tas aed 10 
Has given Church officers, oracles, etc....... 10 
eadeande 4 ineo1- Churcchte hi. talon lan 8-11 
Names given hint in“Scripture. . ox. 25.412 4 dees 8 
Omees in thes Churches ota. eins aevoaeienne 9 
ADT AAMCAM CL ISCIP LING: '..0) ben's she's ally hale 10 
Ordained system of doctrine...........+... 10 
ramen MOLES) Wise eS staatee's etre sinc ae 10 
Present in Church by Word and Spirit..... 11 
CHURCH: 
PESTADIISTIEME SDV COL ists tty a7 an ve ee cee 2 
Membership includes children.............. 3 
Members? 0% 2000 OAR ee ae ae % 
SINCEYS OL Pere ae erste ere eet ct El aoe te on. 4 
Ordination of officers by courts of......... 6 
Samecinea ll ares iI U713 Ith COPE f 2 


CHURCH CENSURES: 


Admorirtion! défined'? si 5 AP) 2S Ae 178 
Heposition defined vi agtiecadee we ee es wees 181 
Pxogmmninieationy 32) A eae, PI 180 
OTIS T Ws, .12teletel A Haale ELMORE Ce Cie Mi7 
Slspensionc defined lysicials an «aks os. wie 179 
CHURCH COURTS: 
All -Presbisteriesixes ban. vendo. ve oe. thers eed 51 
ailedimeetitirs Waa heal AE AT en & Scie 78 
Can make no laws binding conscience....... 58 
Certified copy by clerk authoritative....... 54 
Charged by moderator in trial.............. 204 
GhurchAgovernediebyadl. fosrrs. tien sealer 51 
Duties when charges are made............. 194 


Dutiestottelerkia. seis. sawiiesiok e2eevE 54 


242 INDEX 


CHURCH COURTS (Continued) : PAR. 
Duties of members of, in judicial trial...... 193 
Duties - of- moderators 4 VA BS APS 53 
Duty of higher court to lower.............. 263 
Expenses of ministers attending courts to 

Deh pebick AeA Reh, cette nin to sr eanath eere Zena 


Expenses ruling elders attending to be paid 56 


Have right to require obedience to laws of 
Christ Do; P ari P96 Pee eet ne eee ae ete 


How -opened and: closed! 7... 200 e2. 0 oe 55 
Jurisdiction of sAssemblye ey cass ose oe 60 
Jurisdiction of “Presbytery. os 54. 4h ck aces 60 
ULISUICLION TOL SeSsiOl. & we ce «ae eee 60 
Jurisdiction Of SYNCd... +. otsloa nan deat 60 


Jurisdiction only ministerial and declarative 58 
Lower court may be required to produce 


PECOTAS. boas se uk sh ee 2 ee 261 
Matters may be referred from lower to 
higher court for decision..........+-.00% 59 
Moderator may change time and place of 
meeting li. . Vierie vicina,» Waren. ae a 53 
Moderator is absent, who presides......... 53 
No jurisdiction in civil or political affairs... 57 
Number ot vand:nameésys osasu. oeeleps de vegies 
Opened: with sermon.» 4 124 WD ot oe 53 
Opening sermon when ruling elder is mod- 
CratOfey ao kimwediavs Led 2 o. honhele Boon 53 


Power to establish rules for government, etc. 58 
Rights of members of lower court in higher 260 
Ruling elder may be elected moderator..... 53 
Sustain mutual relation to each other...... 5 
Trial of lower court by higher for neglect.. 264 
When court next below neglects its duty.... 265 


CHURCH GOVERNMENT: 


Extent of jurisdiction of courts........... 5 
Jurisdiction not several but joint........... 5 
Power exercised by courts.............00. 5 
Presbytery scriptural form of courts...... 1,7 


INDEX 243 


CHURCH MEMBERS: PAR. 
Condition of membership ................. 3 
Effect of withdrawing to another church... 258 
PAatants SNe! S 05k Sao cts, os Anedd entiation tH 
Relation of baptized persons............... 28 
Kishtseange privileges: Ol «ss <. cee ce ven ese 29 
Transfer of member to roll of non-commun- 

iimatietiberse cc twat ey ink Sots e Bt 256 
CHURCH OFFICERS: 
Chosen by Congregation +.:........... 143-147 
EIGAMIING. intel us Cork OS Oca Gols de ont 31 
Mxtraotdinary -.. ..59, queen sity eee U4 ak ooh 30 
Pierce eaters es 1 htt i. ae eid ands 55 143 
RIiGWATOTOAIIe We ses t cette te eee st re. 148 
minstersmore ther Word 6s eee wer es ce ne 31 
eyrtriaryandsnerpetualicst oh cae. eee ee 31 
Peitie pIdens rd OFS Re ak, | eae ee Jt 
MUG OMOLAUSULD oon coe hee Se ees see wee 32 
Pench gy welders) 425 bte Al ia a civ aig Rex ene 31 


CHURCH, THE PARTICULAR: 


Christ present with, by his Word and Spirit 11 
PP TATE TEAG Mermgt oan aon Pome See he Dg ete cee 20 


PERC SPACER AAN ee ae ca, Lhe We ae ae 23 
Dates when without) pastof"..n. 4 eae 25 
TAGW OFiamized oes, saree te te 26 
Members. of- i5. S3eeitenak ees 3) 0220926227 
Officers, oracles and ordinances........... 10 
Officers, pastor, ruling elders and deacons... 21 
Officers to be elected as soon as organized... 26 
MICUMERNIGES? Gir tt RIAs Se ct be nec e hee ne bike 24 
Power lodged in church Session............ 22 
Should secure pastor soon after.organization 26 
CHURCH POLITY, what it consists of..... 31 
CHURCH POWER: 
Distinct from civil commonwealth......... 17 
ESXCTCISCU-DYVTICODICL oa siga as 4 4cee eo RES 15 
Extends to choice of officers............4.. 15 


Has divine sanction, when, etc. ............ 19 


244 INDEX 


CHURCH POWER (Continued) : PAR. 
Joint-“and* several >. RAP so eee 19 
Objects for which it is ordained........... 18 
Wholly spiritual’: 22050205, BPP ae 16 
Vested: in whole-body 7??@ 27a ae 15 

CHURCH VISIBLE: 

Defined ..... SEEDER IOS Fim tone rae 12 

Divided into many individual churches...... 14 

Unity not destroyed by different denomina- 
TIOTISNTS ORC SOR cate ae ucard oc teeta ee 13 

CLUATIONVFORSTRIALU: 

Court@must-ascertain. 11 served sciniederss ne 202 
Mecond citation warts sree ae as ta a atten 198 
Signed by Moderator or Clerk.;:.......... 196 
THEM SAYS GNOtICOe ha chvss ss o.0 310.4 speci Oe 195 
Time between first and second......... 0.0 cae: 199 

GLERK OELSESSION: 

Documents signed by, official............... 54 
Duties :ins case.ote DrOCeSSs ies aa se eine "e a ore 210 
Ditties 70 bord Gove oA Le Cok an ee 54 

COMMISSIONERS TO GENERAL AS- 

SEMBULY: 
Election of between Assemblies ............ 87 
Form:-of (Commission: . tice . eal. eee 88 
How elected: j2c3; ayeile. REEL Bl oaee coe 86 
Number necessary for quorum .......... —489 


COMMUNING MEMBERS: 


May be transferred to non-communing roll.. 256 
When placed on retired*roll™ 233 ee 298 
When residence is unknown for two years.. 298 


COMPUALNG.:; 


May appoint representatives to defend action 286 
Nature: Of :4 0s nodvd toed oceteekee doe nee 

Notice of does not suspend action......... 285 
Parties complainant and respondent......... 286 


INDEX 245 


COMPLAINTS (Continued) : PAR. 
Rules for appeal apply to complaints........ 287 
wroteon tiwidakehccs:. ooc.. ae ok os od RRM 289 
What the judgment of higher court may be.. 288 
Who, may make complaint.< 2... soins eee 284 


CONFESSION OF FAITH, how changed... 161 
CONFESSION, of minister pending trial.... 223 
CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS: 


Called by Session wsenncadt chit 30h Sal 153 
Reletke PO Ls? eek sv aeh ce GO wake Die 156 
Correct minutes to be kept and recorded... 156 
Incorporations provided, for seit.45 wise suds 157 
MGdefatOr. tO ties insistence MES < PRRE ala oe 155 
One-fourth members may request......... $53 
Bapicenoticershall- bes piven. pe 3c cae: P53 
MwOrun AS) hes eae TA PR ee. Loe 154 
NVino are entitled -tovote oc scent 152 
CONSTITUTION OF CHURCH, what it 
Ea ETS ae, Sc RN ge ort Satonnncalle Maal 2 159 
CONTUMACY: 
BCS ALE OC es cts het 198,214, 215, 220 
nen erret limite fOr tOSTII®. .. os sortase ts ves auc 238 
COPIES OF PROCEEDINGS FURNISH- 
eA LL ory cake ee eee mig « 210 
Sota NCA Sis Oly PROCK SS. a.. 195 
DEACONS: 
Character, Ole men CHOSeT I 2). vam eee tore 
Divested of office without censure....... CHS 6 Wy! ay § 
TOUCmeI eC Ctr tae tthe ee ere eta 
TIO W OLUuaed (ANU IMStALiCd 2. << oie ctu ece a0 oie 148 
Joint meetings with Session.............. eT 
Maye NOIeCONIELenCeS Lucie cia. cptde's tyes cone 49 
May resign’ oridemit office’ oo. To Soe ewes 149 


May resume functions without ordination... 150 


246 INDEX 


DEACONS (Continued) : PAR. 
May serve on committees, etc., of higher 
COULTS . «i chs bie bp e-ctemeate lana elo, ae Se 48 
Meetings<of board igs...) JOR a li? ee 47 
Nature. of. office ac Jee? Acie 2A 44 
Office -perpetualee oy. tue as ssa pe ee 149 
Officersat" POATa: Se ted as oe hea oe 47 
Official relation dissolved after two years’ 
failures Se veces ce eye ea aed Pi 5 151 
Organized 46. boatchigas . s:) ateiae asia we 47 
Records of board submitted to Session..... 47 
Relation. to. church’ property "227~. 02. SO 45 
Relation: to: finances i449. 3 vitevns a. Cee 45 
Relation’ of<pastor tdos. (4). 0. . OR Tee 47 | 
Restored after deposition, requires re-election 252 
Session may elect women to assist deacons.. 50 
Under supervision of Session Jo... 0.00.0. 4 
DEFINITE SUSPENSION. -... 5.2. - 4300 179 
DEPOSITION: 
Defined 0.2: sages eee meee aby eee eee 181 
Elder or deacon must be re-elected after 
FESLOTALION Poca ses Gickrorne Salk cose ita fare 252 
For heresy or*schism *..0.0. . 2... aa Ue ee 221 
Form. ofaadminister ing 24-3 45.4. eee 247 
Form for restoration of officers........... 251 
May divest him without censure.......... 226 
Minister failing to obey citation............ 220 
Of “deacGir rs Por aot oe oni ee 226 
Of + mimister.vacates: church 5.7372 tee 225 
Of: ruling-elder cig . Sen ee oA 3. One 226 
Procedure when confession is made........ 223 
DIRECTORY: FOR WORSHIP... 7 Sa 303 
DIS CUPLINE: 
Definition SOP Weve coe ae ein oe ke ae ee 164 
Duty of Church to non-communing members 169 
Fiend S TOR MeG ails dace vig faeces «hate Oi tea ee 166 
Exercise for building up the Church...... 167 
Ordained by Chest... as er 10 
Relation to non-communing members...... 168 


Whé: arestubjectsvof.-.e204...: . 5.54 eee 165 


INDEX 247 


DISMISSION OF MEMBERS: PAR. 
BV COLMMCALC nc 5 cae a calnn oo ates Fn SS 297 
should: inelude: children ¥iws ¢. ssise ses OC. ae 65 

DISMISSION, OF MINISTERS: 
Certilicate,coea Tor, ONG year @ oe eu ces oot de 301 
Certifies standing only at time given........ 301 
Valid testimony of good standing.......... 301 

PISSENTs 
Lt) are oe es ecavee acho ane eet whe evade 293 
May be entered on records of court........ 293 
RAY Ne; WILOLS Wh, no oe eee SE yt de 295 
Must be couched in temperate language..... 295 
Bitisvaberrespectiul tovcourt. .v.. toa. 0... os 295 


DISSOLUTION OF PASTORAL RELA- 


TION: 
Relation of co-pastor dissolved..:........5. 142 
Resignation tendered to Presbytery........ 142 
Pest LURE OR ORBPICERS 2. tensa. Pan fi 


BCCLESIASTICAL “COMMISSION: 


Decision treated as action of court appoint- 


“832i NAD Res el <A FURR ES AIS Y 2 92 
Pes et COM, COMMIMITLEE: jcncttin ecealenne ¢ 92 
inatsencralAssembly.. wiping. andeewansres 95 
Matters that may be submitted to ......... 93 
Minutes entered on court appointing....... 92 


Ordination of ministers may be committed to 93 
Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly 


may -apnointiowin. a: bilsy .agaties hails 94 
Quorum in General Assembly ............. 94° 
QudruhnanoPresbyteryes Seam 93 
HAO: 11 a yNOUy Sse, PO PR a: 94 


Shall keep full records of proceedings..... 92 


248 INDEX 


ELECTION OF PASTOR: PAR. 
Porm for. electing: 27 pastor. wives = eee oe 122 
Form -of } call’ <2 Gee eae a eee eee 126 
How-to prosecute.a call Warnes i ae 128 
Majority of votes required to elect...... 124, 125 
Method ‘of procedures? 71 4 Sate ce 7 See 124 
One-fourth of persons entitled to vote, rights 

a) Pan nunny Sapte vaplypein die? tried abel (geen d fe ete 17 
Persons entitled: to Vote uo tins eee oe ee 123 
Presiding Of1Ceri a teres Ok or oceeece oe ee 123 
Procedure in another Presbytery .......... 131 
Procedure when call is not unanimous ..... 125 
Prosecuting call before another Presbytery.. 129 
Prosecuting call in same Presbytery........ 130 
Session shall call congregational meeting... 122 
Time required for public notice ..:......... 122 
Who mayesicivcalt eaves cn foe es noc aeee 127 

ELECTION OF RULING ELDERS AND 

DEACONS: 
Forni ok“ procedures. ..¢. 2.2 we cee Ce eee 143 
Methods of: voting ick oot c as oe ae 146 
Moderator of congregational meeting...... 144 
Questions to be put by moderator.......... 146 
Wholarerentitledstozvote: il Awan eee . Joe nae 

EVANGELIST: 

A -ministersof the Word!) AR Teka 33 
(FLOW lerdamedn, 220 Pte a eae ee 141 
Tneforeien helds 2 vas ae ed oa Ped tine eee 38 
In” frontier: settlements toh 0a fi ss eee 38 
May *ordaitreoticersstan ce ts eek ian tet eae 38 
“May *organizeschurchess 725.43 ever oe oa 38 
EVIDENCE: 
Accused not compelled to testify ........... 227 
Accusersimust > testify “1h. POP ae 22/ 
Certified testimony valid in other courts..... 235 
Challenging witnessésawt. te eeee soe ae 227 
Competent, witnesses’. Mela es ee eee 227 
Disqualification for sitting as judge ....... 237 


Effect of new testimonys vif. teat bees eee 240 


INDEX 249 


EVIDENCE (Continued) : PAR. 
New testimonyuaiawrsita .2eitses ct AW 239 
Number of witnesses necessary ........... 229 
Wath; ton pexadmimistered’. vac 2igu./ eee, ae 232 
Penalty for refusing to testify ............ 238 
Records authenticated by moderator or clerk 234 
Reducing questions to writing ............. 233 
Rules concerning examining witnesses ...... Zak 
Rules concerning presence of witnesses..... 230 
‘Testimony of husband and wife........... 228 
inst) Duta COMMISSION a, weed toch cil pten ce ae ke 236 
EXAMINATION: 
MoTuaicensurersot CAanuigatcse | ainck sees 109-115 
For ordination of licentiate............. 135, 136 
Of minister from another Presbytery...... 74 
EXCOMMUNICATION: 
MIOTIC Tk cee hoe tls CoOL Pe taahis's MES .. 180 
PEATE TOL ee era «bance Cee Se aero rns 246 
TO Vin administered... a6oh.uk. iw ok.. tat le 246 
minister tor contumacy >... ..2 sinsispadon 220 
PattEMVOSE MET, Bes os eopualetats OY erence te 180 
Restoration of excommunicated person...... 250 
Pet +t DO ITLICLE. ce hsion Rere faa oo total ake! 180 
EXPENSES ATTENDING CHURCH 
COURTS: BALD haesiaus:. cic thesia 56 
EXTRAORDINARY CASES, ordination of. 135 
veo tieeld Le daa Sea gers Malas ar leita ie rape leleag ne ¥ 354, 366 
PEN EKA parte eee ta pages, 191-218 
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: 
A permanent’courts;.. 7255 Mawes omit 86 
Basis of representation... . .fakieauewmmineas 86 
Calledtmmesting t.2.< sce tagcbdies iad . sc 87 
Composed of Commissioners from Presby- 


teTi€s sry. caldss Wh cero ehistaoles{ ateiee sit 
orm of Commission signed by Presbytery 88 
Form, iorefnahadjournment«. .0. 4..d lela 91 


250 INDEX 


GENERAL ASSEMBLY (Continued) : PAR. 
Has power to commit interests to commis- 
sions’ /./0...).. Syne aoedheenny he eae 95 
How ‘closed i300. (eee ee te 91 
Jurisdiction. sot “SR ay, SIRS Ait. a 60 
Meetsi annually ite. th DXi Se 86 
Moderator elected at each stated meeting.... 53 
Powers; obviate. 2auVvuns )Qeoonno sat 90 
Quorum obon hus Fae PO ae 89 
Tithe of Sie bed tae aon ae Ae 85 


GOVERNMENT OF CHURCH REPRE- 


SED DAI Pct ation Sass eee ee 97 
HERESY AND SCHISM MAY WAR- 
RAN T} DEPOSITION feast 2a 221 
HOLY GHOST, applies benefits of Christ’s 
OMiCES 2 Ftd SA LP Fo PS Be 11 
HUSBAND AND WIFE, testifying against 
each’ other’)2t Fes SR ARIG Rd BOs hae 228 
INDEFINITE SUSPENSION, what ...... 179 
INDICTMENT: 3 
Rortmteth Sue er eR FEE A A Reece 185: 
How, served ‘on .accused* (it. 3 G0 SS aoe. 195 
What.ieshould inclidesi so) asp ae eee ae 197 
INFANT -MEMBERSHEP (oo. saa as a 
INFLICTION OF CENSURES: 
Admonition may be private or public........ 243 
(Canton in’ procedures... os. tee te see 241 
Definite. suspension! 4 6a 2st BRN SIO a. 244 
Excommunication? 4.9.02 POMS a Oe 246 
Form for deposition) .t-42: 92. Seas, 247 
Form for excommunication ............+.. 246 
Form.for indefinite suspension ............ 245 
Indefinite suspension 3.0.0.5 0.0. 00. 245 


Should be suited to nature of offences....... 242 


INDEX 251 


INSTALLATION OF MINISTER: PAR. 
MOTM: GE PrOCOOMTOT erie Me od lo ste Bi 132-140 
Questions to be answered by congregation... 137 
Questions to be answered by licentiate...... 136 
Questions for ordained minister ........... 140 


Welcome by officers and heads of families.. 139 


INSTALLATION OF RULING ELDERS 
AND DEACONS: 


Questions to be answered by congregation.. 148 
Questions to be answered by officers ......, 148 


JUDGMENT OF COURT, effect of appeal... 278 
JUDICIAL COMMISSION: 


In General Assembly, quorum of......... 94 
Toahreshytery auo0rutit Of, .'c ce ss citeeletin cece 93 
Eee TUTeOrE es CUIOT AIO Os 2c terri sietie orosiettaes 94 
Mayi take testimony. .004..23,.8044. 236 
JUDICIAL COMMITTEE: 
Tourissmay appoint vaiiiviets xs). ies) hash des 203 
Bimiescotcas Lasay Avs bese: oases. asaias 203 
MIDI OT WWOterae ee Rito be tin é sie on Hehe itins 203 
JURISDICTION OF CHURCH COURTS: 
Certificate valid testimony of standing..... 301 
in ‘case /Séssion.cannot, act squeegee Sie 213 
Eumited “by Constitution os sees oie ons cede os 60 
Of Presbytery over minister removing ..... 300 
Minister assigned membership in church... 302 
Of Session over members removing ........ 298 
Over persons under censure, removing .... 253 
Remietrollss;:...<2.5s std wt ate Sd do 298 
When member joins another church....... 299 


LICENSURE OF CANDIDATES: 
Cannot omit parts of trial except in extra- 
AE py to et shot on ie ga Aegean ey aE 114 
Porm mi hicenserp es: ce’ oo eee. ee. Nene 116 


252 : INDEX 
LICENSURE OF CANDIDATES (Continued) : 


PAR. 
Literary: examimation Kusdwdue. sd as vac tae 112 
Literary. wequiretnentsiiivunwars 58.6% os tats 111 
May be ordained when called to definite work 109 
Parts ‘oistnal assinned Dru; 22208io 4 cals 112 
Presbytery must be satisfied with examina- 
TOM ee eae eee ne eta eee 4 
Procedure in extraordinary cases .......... 114 
Questions to be propounded ............... 115 
Subjects hor éxaminationy: 2.545 sacen aed 110,-412 
‘heologicals.examination-~ i. sais oveeeee eee tiz 
Lheological, requirements... ose ses eee 111 
Transfer of candidates for licensure to an- 
other } Presbytery lyors ccna) ao aces 117 
Trials for licensure by Presbytery ......... 110 
BHICENTIATLTES: 


May be transferred to another Presbytery.. 118 
Must devote themselves to trial of their gifts 119 


_Must have call to definite work ........... 121 
License expires ‘after*four’ years v.00. 60. Fs 120 
”'Presbytery *may* revoke’ license 2.21. 22.39" 120 
LORD'S DAY. sanctification sof .22. eee. oe ee 303 
LORD’S SUPPER, administration of....... 347 
AV CUTVISSION 30) ek os vee ew ies alec ot he Oe 351 
MARRIAGE ® aitue ewiis aye SG taken 355 
MARRIAGH SHRVIGEH. oi... weeeeres page, 187 


MEMBER OF CHURCH COURT. (SEE 
CHURGH COURTS: 


MEMBERS OF CHURCH. (SEE 
CHURCH MEMBERS.) 


INDEX 253 


M INISTER : PAR. 
From another denomination ............... 74 
How received by Presbytery .............. 

TIS tad LCE Tro res fats oats GALE See oe 132-140 
in transitas, 209eds 41. conced. tedre women: 301 
Must ssignitebligation ia wii). water coke. 75 
Ordainedésc 762ead Sess igiall). sory .eoteeec | 138 
Procedure of Presbytery in call............ 132 


Receives call by permission of Presbytery.. 132 


MINISTER OF THE WORD: 


Peale ASMeVANVElSt > ners. cere es. ee a oe eee 38 
Rha WoC SaaS tGt Catacrua fhe et oie veg dee meee 36 
Ralliedsacuteacheri ucla viany vaveaedGore ooo wee oF 
Called to labor through press ............. 39 
Otheethrstoniicdignity oy Gale. Poke 2) AG 33 
ossesses: difterentopitisus Gye apes oS. k. 35 
MttalificationsMatenie.. 2. RIYA Den 34 
Y as8ottsrs titlds sits fic} - reat nd doth Tipdniv'te noes 3h 
MINISTER, PROCESS AGAINST: 
Gontession - pending ‘trials... sou sient nk: 223 
Deposed for heresy and schism ............ 221 
Heposed without cerisute i oe Pea: 302 
Divested without censure ..... CoE fore Sh fon dae 226 
PPANeMeCt nO LPL ears oss tule ect ce eee 226 
Kelsie td obey Citationi wiyie. 703k T Ak 220 
MeESTOLATION OL Meer. ts Be cet os eee he ee 2 8y 224 
second citation, effect... /.¢.. ccded etn Ok 220 
siiepended on’ Confessioniyas. ze ole ob sen scae § “23 
MINUTES: 
MiiCetec or tiidlin, oo. emia. Ont vic eee aen 210 
DIG UTES LCTY. Dian ke Pe eck cn tates "C3 
te yesetOte aa Pitin. 5. se Cae et sk 67 
COT WV IOCR Gais cao 2 nts a ete eae eke 84 
MODERATOR: 
Authority: Gti. 240 Ae OO) SOA 53 


Duties of in Presbytery, Synod and General 
Father tl 1 gee 5M Re REPO «6 Cis nS 53 


254 INDEX 


MODERATOR (Continued) : PAR, 
Of General Assembly chosen by court..... “53 
Of Presbytery chosen by court ............ 53 
OLSessions Hr waeUiy ote eae pee eae ee 1393 
Of Session when pastor is absent ......... 62 
Of Session when there are two pastors .... 64 
Of Session when there is no pastor ........ 63 
Of.Synod chosensby: courtsiessit to nections 53 


NEGLECT OF ,LOWER ,COURT, TO 


SEND: UP®THE¢RECORD.. ..y. hee 283 
NEW TRIAL: 

May be granted by higher court............ 240 

Wien: itimays bel granted \sasww tl spreiay eit ene 239 


NON-COMMUNING MEMBERS: 


Encouraged to become full. church members 170 


Relation’ of adult members! i. 4. :4.nNee. 171 
Relation: to4church ws. S724. 4.49 AL ee 168 
To. be instructed... soc.dekehae Seog. ew ante 169 
Under, care; of, chutehs. tei heed ed oe 172 


OATH OR AFFIRMATION, by witnesses.. 232 
OBLIGATION SIGNED BY MINISTER.. 75 


OFFENCES: 
All grounds of disciple’. se sakes 2 te ee eee 174 
Definitionot .oe Peet ce a ake os Os kaeineeeee 173 
aad Le ee rae Al iets a AR EA se 175 
Personals. tsy ers Sedo ee ves PE ae 175 
Prryate: os BooRah ahora CORI ee 176 
Pap lic + uo oh ees Ade ee ed ee 176 
OPTIONA LeFORM Ge asee 5c. pages, 187-218 
ORDINANCES OF CHURCH: 
Defiried 47 Ak RONG, CTE RL ae Se 24 


INDEX 255 


ORDINATION OF A MINISTER: PAR. 
By .a..Gominissionbns cal. sseeia wart Foenin 93 
By. Presbyteryi. #2. So 2oebi02. 20 AG Bet 133 
Dekaron, obi <1h095, 62 Wrasioroeo. 30. D7 JOP 100 
MOCLIIE LON nO Uege o side sc 2 eRe eee 99 
Followsratceptance, of ‘call a. ee: 133 
Foran’ evangelist reg ER oon cee 141 
POC pPrOCediil Ce. Sect la pte: Aetase tee oo: 138 
Must be by AS COULR HS Ne gee ita ce dea 99 
Must be in same Presbytery as church...... 134 
Must*be to a definite work. 26 .i605.0 <n 101 
Peer aerisitiiSt Gare 3 st. Tans Gert <n s oee 30.0 4 saat 138 
MIMIPAT 119 Datel PCOUL Lic mato te amc ac He «e abicle & 6 
Permission of Presbytery necessary to ac- 

eeotecailre S30 eeieieak p Sees ee AS 132 
Questions to be answered for ordination..... 136 
Questions when ordained as evangelist..... 141 
SAAISWLOS OLGIMALION: <. 5 caress crn & anki 135 

ORDINATION OF RULING ELDER AND 

i DEACON: 
Persons elected examined by Session ....... 147 
Questions to be answered by candidate...... 148 
Questions to be answered by congregation... 148 


ORGANIC UNION WITH OTHER EC- 
CLESIASTICAL BODIES: 


MAINer OF PIOCCUUSS *. cscs oe wee ene el 162 
ORGANIZATION OF A CHURCH: 
Peer CLOMNMTMISSION Oe PPS. wens c:ace,4 cepa 93 
BS PASC P ANON U5, Lice Usd ike Seles scan a 38 
DSViISE CESHYVLET YH G2 58s Si aa Vis met lecin’e  Biviese burs 26 
ORIGINAL JURISDICTION: 
oO whom it pertains (O77). VUE en eet eis 182 
ORIGINAL PARTIES “IN? CASES-,-OR+e,. 
SCJ Rak Cott oe ate Saat ia lars are toes tate aie nt aes 184 


PARLIAMENTARY RULES OF: OR- 
DER s ais saxiin osu tags es pages, 219-233 


256 INDEX 


PARTIES IN-CASESSOF. PROCESS#& PAR. 
Accused has rights of defendant only....... 192 
Cause may be conducted by prosecutor...... 187 
Caution to be exercised in receiving accusa- 

HONS 2)’. sistives ve ata wld wie ee + ae ee 189 
Courts may investigate personal offences ... 186 
Courts. of. original. jurisdiction; dtwsnav% «aa se 182 
LUES;, OF. CUULCHECOULLS © . \. alveskua aren eae 183 
HOt Ol; indictmentis cas. adeoeste cee eae 185 
How the court may proceed cs ......:..m «0% vey 188 . 
Means for reconciliation to be tried ....... 186 
Original parties—accused and accuser ..... 184 
Relation of member under process to church 191 
Warning to voluntary prosecutor ......... 190 

PASTOR: 

Called from one charge to another......... 130 
Called only by permission of Presbytery... 132 
PSIECTION 101, CETULIER (20 ac <5 coh ce 126 
Forth of ically 2c 207? ees AA ae eee 126 
How ¢all-may be’signéd = +) och evs doe 127 
Howto prosecute call ae eee 128, 129 
Relation dissolved by deposition .......... 225 
Resignation tendered to .Presbytery......... 142 

PERSONAL OFFENCES DEFINED...... 175 

POWER OF CHURCH. (SEE CHURCH 

POWER.) 

PRAYER sir publesworstip sacumere terme on 317 
POSture itt ek tes rece eel eae el ee 321 
Meetings <1 srt s i Sees ee oO ere 343 
Secret“antd ‘fannlye cst ee oor een eee nee 374 

PREACHING, of the Wortds) wien 2). ceiiher 322 
Who mayeih°our<churchess. cA. oa ees 

PRESBYTERY: 

Called meetings ten days’ notice............ 78 


Consists of ministers and one Ruling Elder 
ttom-each church!) 4... eeeau es - oe ee ee 


INDEX 257 


PRESBYTERY (Continued) : PAR. 
Examination on receiving a minister........ 74 
Jurisdiction over ministers, sessions and 

Ghurelies Aeeer 5 or, Sea EN pts 0 
MAY te tts OWIl CUGLUIN 5, + oy bade nal abe es 73 
May require certificate of appointment from 

eldem Rea). LAIOIGI. “Vl. FOTIA 72 
Moderator elected at each stated meeting... 53 
Obligation to be signed by minister......... sp 
ET ELAR) DESEO ee ene EM Helge ears CEM 76 
Quorum of for proceeding to business...... 73 
Records to be sent to Synod ............4.. 77 
Reports ‘fo General, Assembly... 2... ..5 2.3 77 
ODOT tS {OT OV TIOU fleet Su Atel oe es GOR « ce 77 
Requirements of ministers coming from other 

HertOntinationsey. “22. ake ate re eo 
Scriptural form of government ............ 7 
Sila oiee pa Lait: POCOLdS Sanctus Mee seen ip 
Beri TeCLCINICCTINIG Soe ee ote oe oe ARTE ee tee 78 
Rositine es brethren scot aw eres Wi ee eee 79 


Where minister’s membership should be held 71 


EROCKOS. (SEE CASES OF PROCESS) 
PROCESS AGAINST A MINISTER: 


Caution against receiving charges .......... 218 
Deposition tor sderesy ic: sas  Wesadetingy F- ¢ 221 
Duty of court in cases of dereliction........ 226 
rirst warned “in Pprivates.. Ale lee invert 219 
Must be before Presbytery ...../..0.020.0.. 217 
Removing scandal from a minister ........ 222 
Results of confession by minister ......... 223 
Rules for restoration in cases of suspension 224 
Rules in cases of deposition .............. 224 
Sentence after two citations ............%.. 220 
Status of church of deposed minister....... tha 


PROCESS BEFORE SESSION: 


Only. for.church members... ... ¢faisom.i7 oxi 213 
When sentence of contumacy may be given.. 214 


~ 258 INDEX 


PAR. 
PROFESSIONAL COUNSEL NOT PER- 
ELTA Oh Gee Re ara \orteatbenati ans Meee 211 
PROPERTY OF DISSOLVED CHURCH, 
hy: “held we veneks acatua eed ore Clndaecterta eats 158 
PROSECULORIUIN TODICIAL CASES? 
Always representative of church ........... 184 
Caution in receiving accusations ........ .. 189 
In Session, may be communing member ..... 183 
May appear voluntarily ............. ere 187 
May be appointed by court ................ 187 
Must be a member of court ............... 183 
Must first seek reconciliation ...:.........- 186 
Responsible for charges he may bring ...... 190 
To. be-appointed: by, Court. <.0 va 4 3 sdcmnere 183 
BROTEST: 
Defined © ic tccoae sons ep.e ae0.< aoe Renee 294 
May be answered by court ............0.: 295 
Must be in temperate language ........... 295 
Who.-may: joim.in-protest:.4<» 0a oni ee asics ee 296 
QUORUM: . 
COTOASSCINDIY. (2. galas «<a ciee fae ee mee eee 89 
&f-vAssembly--Gommntission2-c40- soe eee ene 94 
Of Presbytery Yoors 00. T7 SS Bee 73 
@f. Session ATI 7 122 Ut Posh? Ok FOP ET 61 
©) EcSynOd sialic dnc APPEAR ated See, ae 81 
©f)Synodical .Commussign27t? 222 t2. ee 94 
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS: 
By, certificates css» ams swat errioeds aaa onets 297 
Gri protessiOn, 2y<seithtetesabe Qe cee ee 65, 345 
RECORDS: 
Generaliseview: Of-.. 2.25 oben ances on ares 261 
Higher court may require records to be pro- 
duced cc he ere ee a a eee 261 
Howto review ..7... /faGa ee ieee 262 


Record in minutes of higher court.......... 263 


INDEX 259 


RECORD OF THE CASE: oe 
In. appeal or. complaint >is Aes.ns yee exes - 210 
Penalty for neglect to send up record...... 283 

REFERENCES: 

DI CUINER See ec oe ik TOL peek < gee Saas waibea ark 267 
Butyvotenigher: cogrt inet ny s. sos. fos eo 271 
Higher court may not accede request of 

16WET BRUTE Oe Se. TATE SOLES NER 
-How case is presented to higher court ..... 270 
Lower court may apply to higher for advice, 

UCN ae a ee Lee RTE EIe ot clae ue totav eral the Sheed 
Lower court must prepare documents, etc... 272 
ProperssubjectS: for: 6: ceded sade de sales POs 268 


What a lower court may ask the higher court 269 


REFUSAL OF ACCUSED: 


BRIA TIICAT ANIL ce at Ab Sane sh shee cette yes 214 
OETA De Sa Bi saad 7 oe eer pay erin 214 


REEUSAL OF. WITNESS TO PLEAD,.....1238 
REMOVAL OF CENSURE: 


Does not restore to office in church Be eins 252 
Borm Of procedure. 8.3... eho Bete orotate 249 
Procedure for excommunicated person...... 250 
Procedure in case of a minister..........+. 254 
Procedure when person is non-resident...... 253 
Repentance should be encouraged...... hs arate 248 
Restoration deposed officer and form....... 2o1 
REMOVAL OF MEMBERSHIP: 
BY CerihiCate fis feed eae lea hs PHORM DE RL ee 297 
Duty of Session when neglected............ 298 


REMOVAL WHILE UNDER CENSURE.. 253 
RENOUNCING THE CHURCH, procedure 258 
RESIGNATION: ORGRASTORM?: of scores 142 


260 INDEX 


RESTORATION: PAR. 
Oi. déposedaperson "yoo. ee ce oe nae oe 249 
Of excommunicated person ................ 250 
Of. suspended: minister *..¢9 cor Fe. eda 254 

RETIRED® ROLE o.cae cet. cree eee 298 

REVIEW AND CONTROL: 

Extent .obythisypower - icuy..ewsrs | Papers. owen 263 


Higher court may advise lower of neglect.. 264 
Higher court may cite lower court for failure 265 


Includes records of lower court............ 261 
Judicial cases not subject to... 4250s ote 263 
Rules for process against individuals apply to 
COULTS Ge naa «cman eh «aye ott p< Bb eee ee ee 
What is embraced in reviewing records..... 262 
ROLL OF MEMBERS: 
NY OI -COMIMUNIT Om Eee ares were face eel ee 68, 256 
Non-resident **:sr2i¢rer27r <eetre:. Joe 298 
Retireds-. hi ose r20 2 22 eri ds sec eee 298 
RULES OF PARLIAMENTARY 
ORDER? 2.2 SIG Redd den pages, 219-233 
RULING ELDERS: 
By. -whom elected sy increas 40t Ae 143 
Divested of their office without censure. .226, 257 
Duties..in (theccharch 2. eeu. com eee 43 
Duty when there are no deacons ........... 45 
Governing chief function ................-. 40 
How: ordained*and installed. 2). ...0..... 147, 148 
Immediate representatives of people........ 43 
Lifes blameless coc .6 ic vs daa 4a cee 42 
May have relation dissolved .............. 149 
Mavy-resign of demit ofiice. 22.22.2232 149 
May resume functions without ordination... 150 
Office: perpetual cess d, Seoertie e ae e 149 
Official relation dissolved after two years’ 
faalremr ens... coc anes wae rsghies mae ee 151 


INDEX 261 


RULING ELDERS (Continued) : PAR. 
Relation to destitute places, etc............ 41 
Representatives of the people.............. 43 
Represent church in higher courts......... 65 
BaineeauLnigitys ast minister. ee asa 4} 
Sheehy goths Cyd pk len hha a vari Belagtit ata irs Aiea 42 

SA Uesanctiication sob. .2%.t oe tess oe ee 303 

SABBATH SGHOQGQDS*:siaeccere coor. POPS 329 

SGRIPTORES, public’ readingfotssniubite ca 311 
dnsiehat version airy. Satie ew. tase att tat 312 

SESSION: 

TG eS: Wy Ss AR at Se 65 
Turisdiction in: cases rot process*ssisei2, 250 243 
MLCTDELS? OfF 9 ofea fe / OTERO Gh. 61 
Moderator when two or more pastors ...... 64 
Moderator when without pastor........... 63 
mrermeiieie CHIT? Acts ee ee a ee ee 60 
Pastor moderator: Of (iiss ce ee eda ee 93;/02 
MOVERS WOT Ne. 1a is ase. Sere eds SA LAR OS 65 
PITiUth. Ofe 29 oes Fe sso e oad 61 
Shall be opened and closed with prayer.... 69 
Shall keep fair record of baptisms ........ 68 
Shall keep fair records of proceedings...... 67 
Shall keep record of deaths and dismissions 68 
Shall keep record of members ............ 68 
Shall keep record of non-communing mem- 
EES as weds hak aa es So ORIG tee 68 


Shall meet when requested by Presbytery... 66 
Shall meet when requested by two Ruling 
Ende Sram RR ae... sp", slats ae de alta mee 


Shall submit records to Presbytery........ 67 
Stated meetings, quarterly ............... 66 
EC Ke vesibatiOnpe@iens ws ainsriba- amerenodde ar 363 


SINGING, in public worship ............... 314 


262 INDEX 


STATED CLERK: PAR. 
General Assembly; dutiesi222).0004.00% 120023 54 
Presbytery dutiesiqgag ais 20. ia aoe 54,77 
Synod, :dities {vee Patan rede. seat 54, 84 

SUNDAY SCHOOLS, established by Session 65 

SUSPENSION: 

Betore thal eee a ee ee ee 216 
Defined yn RRL Ye ROE eae 179 
Definite ‘and ‘indefinite’ 2.4. P28 a eee. 179 
How “administered «iv. SUR oS L J ZAGA2ZAS 
Must be without censure when process pend- 

HIS Uae Be bP ie RAL oh Goel «aie Os 9 191 
May be for tontumacy®...0..2.. 257 eee 214 
Official functions suspended while under pro- 

COSSigs Shin dascbe Soeee lara: so aca aenh nie cane acaeee 191 
Of minister ion .cOMfESSION.” ..1... 2 ctvy Gasca 223 
REMOVal Of ANG sLOLM ros suis - ie ap me eMee 249 
When refusing to obey citation............ 220 

SYNOD : 

Called: meetings. . 32. Ji a<'ss ee eae, OR 82 
Meetings i Of. oc wanna dad qcbada wane oa eee 81 
Membershipsofite shaenis..bes:. fasta eel. Te 80 
Moderator elected at each stated meeting... 53 
Powers: ohminn20t6 it alee Teh ares 83 
Ouorum? Of). sero aici. fahren tee. Tle 81 
Shall. keen fair. recordsusdnesucoea- cose. TG 84 
Shall submit records to General Assembly... 84 
Waisitine “members ova), o.n4) des waves ove ae 79 
THANKSGIVING tava. cotigs stogen Sit 366 
TESTIMONY: 
May be taken by Commission.............. 200 
May be taken by co-ordinate court......... 200 
More than one witness necessary........... 229 
Ofthusband/or: wife: . s4 4. 2k) owe ae eee 228 


Value of corroborative evidence ........... 229 


INDEX 263 
TRANSFER FROM LOWER TO HIGHER 


COURT: PAR. 
Status of members of lower in higher court 260 
Me ATIOUSHINOUOS Re casi, sx d cr tle kes eee 259 
TRIALS: 
ttatione: Mish DCOSET VEU loae. sce eons pea 202 
Judgment of higher court sent to lower..... 210 
Minutes to be kept ......... eee Sieeaet eee ee 210 
Moderator. must charge court... <0... c.ie% os 204 
SR ENCTS LE DTOCOG IIT Cute eee oneal s oe cis how wets 207 
PUP LAO TCH ALeNT Ck, Aart sig an ee kote 208 
When a new trial may be given............ 239 
When offence committed at a distance...... 201 
Who are disqualified as judges............ 209 
UNITY OF CHURCH DEFINED ........ is 
Bela tise Re PHREN: vice eedte te eae 79 
VOCATION: 
BRCTMIEIOU TOL) <t oee c 0 eC 6 ky Wee aioe iets 96 
Gifts bestowed on those called ............. 98 
VOTING IN APPEALS AND COMPLI\AINTS: 
BSPERCE COLE VO AG afiemmede ses sae ee ore 290 
Majority vote necessary to sustain an item.. 292 
May be one of three forms............... 289 
Voters’must-spectky items)... obec Ses 291 
WITNESSES: 
Members ot court disqualifieds +... 4 A522. 237 
Oath *or-afirmation required :.:..3.. 25. 143 232 
Jraerssts Cxaniiniatiorn eat. sale Pea eee ok 
Questions reduced to writing..........5... 233 
aeliL wosmicria len geen. tek 8 Ae cee kg 220. 
Separated during examination ............ 230 
LGR DE PER AIINGIEN cq ii9 te te aca cds aetta Ns o 205 
WWaitsave mamnipetent . 6:20 os oer eele res 6 eee Ze7 
WOMEN, Session may appoint to assist 
POACOT IRM ge eesti gaia ta ce ns Rie oie uk re in ease 
WORSHIP: 
DiteCtse yaar ee ee oe ae eas 303 


BeCretiiar an css ova seis elciel oes Che 374 













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